Reasons for rules at Harrison Stadium

- Food of any kind
- Chewing gum, candy, sunflower
seeds or shelled nuts
- Beverages (including sports drinks)
Water is the only beverage allowed (No Exceptions)
- Tobacco or alcohol products
- Firearms/Weapons
- Golf club/balls
- Roller blades, skateboards or skates
- Animals of any kind (except service
animals)
- Fireworks
- Chemicals or paint
- Tape or other adhesives
- Confetti
- Tents/stakes
- Chairs
- Sharp objects
- Glass containers
- Metal spikes
- Track spikes of more than 1/8” in
length

Food, Beverage, Confetti & Seeds Explanations.

1. Food and beverages (other than water) can cause significant damage to synthetic turf and all-weather tracks, including

sticky, hard-to-remove residue, staining, and permanent damage to surface fibers. Sugary sports drinks can ruin the infill, while food waste attracts pests, encourages mold growth, creates dangerous slip hazards, and requires expensive specialized cleaning.

Specific damages caused by food and drinks include:

• Turf Fiber and Infill Damage: Sugar and electrolytes in sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade can contaminate the rubber infill, damaging the turf's composition.

• Structural Breakdown: Dropped food can lead to bacterial or fungal growth (mold/mildew) in shaded areas of the track.

• Sticky Residue & Staining: Spilled drinks leave sticky, hard-to-clean residue on tracks and turf, which can attract insects and create slippery surfaces.

• Premature Wear: Chewing gum is notorious for sticking to turf fibers, often requiring the, removal of turf sections.

• Safety Hazards: Solid food waste can cause slip-and-fall injuries and attract pests.

• Prohibited Items: Items such as sunflower seeds (shell risk), gum, and sugary drinks are generally prohibited on synthetic fields due to these risks.

2. Confetti, particularly plastic or metallic varieties, causes significant damage to all-weather tracks and synthetic turf fields, primarily by acting as microplastic litter that is difficult to remove and harmful to the environment

. On turf, confetti becomes woven into the artificial grass fibers and mixes with the infill, making cleanup almost impossible. On tracks, it can lead to staining, surface degradation, and, if not cleaned, can block drainage systems.

Damage to Synthetic Turf Fields

• Contamination of Infill: Plastic confetti mixes with the rubber or sand infill, making it very hard to separate and remove.

• Drainage Blockage: Accumulated confetti can block the drainage holes in the turf backing, causing water to pool on the field.

• Environmental Pollution: Small plastic pieces are often washed into storm drains and rivers, harming aquatic life.

• Melting/Staining: In extreme cases (if mixed with hot, wet conditions or if using non-colorfast confetti), it can stain the turf fibers.

• Difficult Cleanup: Cleaning requires specialized equipment like high-powered blowers to push the debris to the edge, which can be time-consuming.

Damage to All-Weather Tracks

• Staining: Colored confetti can leave permanent, discolored stains on the rubberized track surface, which are difficult to remove even with scrubbing.

• Trapped Debris: Small pieces can get stuck in the textured surface of the track, requiring intensive cleaning.

• Surface Degradation: The introduction of foreign debris like confetti can, in combination with heavy foot traffic, contribute to premature wear and degradation of the synthetic material.

3.  Issues with Seeds on Turf Fields

• Safety Hazard: Shells can lodge in turf fibers, causing scratches and cuts to athletes who are sliding or diving.

• Drainage & Sanitation: Accumulating shells clog the drainage systems and can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold.

• Cleanup Difficulty: Removing shells from turf is difficult, often requiring specialized, expensive cleaning that can remove the infill material itself.