Finding and obtaining appropriate field space, in order for the games to take place, is critical.  Not only is it needed in order to play the games, but also the size of the field and the costs associated with the field play a large part in maximizing your profit margin.

 

 

When finding appropriate field space to hold your games, there are several different factors that need to be considered.  Important factors to keep in mind would be:

 

• Key Field Requirements

• Location – Where to Find Field Space

• Playing Field Dimensions

• Ideal Types of Space

• Space Usage Details

 

 

Key Field Requirements

 

There are two main factors to consider when first searching for field space.  One is location in regards to the target demographic, and two is what day(s) and time(s) of the week the fields are available.

Having the fields located near your target demographic and potential League Bar (discussed later), is a key element to your success as a Market Director- as well as making sure that you field space has the necessary capacity for games.

 

Being able to identify the geographic areas where young adults gather to socialize, that also include ideal field locations, is one of the primary factors to consider when choosing field space.  Some people may be willing to travel great distances to play in amateur sports leagues, simply for the love of the game. However GO Kickball players are generally involved for the social aspect that is provided and won’t be willing to travel quite as far.

 

Part of that social aspect that GO Kickball offers maintained by balancing the game schedule.  Field space must able to accommodate at least two games being played simultaneously.  More is preferred.  This will keep an even flow of traffic going through your field space and League Bar.

 

When figuring out what the best day(s) and time(s) are to schedule your leagues and have available field space, Market Directors must consider their target demographic.  Years of experience and many successful markets have shown us that the best days and times to have leagues play are:

 

• Thursdays starting at 6:30 pm

• Saturdays starting at 3:00 pm

• Sundays starting at 4:00 pm

 

These days and times work for several reasons.  Out of each weekday, the one where most young adults want to go out tends to be Thursday.  Having the games start at 6:30 pm, during the week, allows enough time for the players to arrive after work.  It accounts for how much daylight is available for gameplay, should the field space not have lighting available.  Most everyone is available on the weekends.  Setting the times earlier, on the weekends, allows for more sessions to be played each day, this increasing the leagues capacity.

 

 

Location - Where to Find Space

 

The most important factor in determining the location of the field space is to identify the specific communities, within the market, where the targeted 21 - 35 year old demographic lives and works.

A certain level of searching is required to find the ideal facilities for your games and events.  Using internet search engines are extremely helpful to locate these types of places in your area.  Often times, search engines also provide satellite images of these areas, which makes finding these fields all the easier.  Another proven method is simply keeping an eye open as you drive around your market.  Typically the ideal field space can be found in many different places.  Some of the best places to look for field space, in order, would be:

 

• City, State, and County Parks

• Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

• Local Colleges and Universities

• YMCA’s or Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs

• Churches, Temples, and Mosques

 

Each of the aforementioned targets to look for field space stereotypically yields different results.  When you’re looking in City, State, and Country Parks, you will find that persistence is the key when securing your space. Because you will be dealing with local government for the privilege to use their facilities, you should expect a longer process to secure the fields.  Once a field administrator or park official has been located and a decision been made, it is very important to maintain the relationship that you have built.  This will allow for a much smoother process in the future.  **Note** You will likely need to reach out to them multiple times before you receive a reply email or phone call.

 

Elementary, middle, and high schools each tend to have different types of field space.  Elementary schools typically have pretty open availability, but field space (i.e. square footage), tends to be limited.  High schools have all the necessary field space, but they usually host so many other activities on their fields, that availability may be very limited.  Middle schools are usually the best of both worlds.  They have larger field space and tend to have fairly open availability due to minimal athletic programs.

 

Local colleges and universities have their pros and cons.  It is possible to find a local college or university that has available field space and fits within the budget, but college and university fields are usually very expensive and rarely available.

 

Most YMCA’s or Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs are good places to look for ideal field space.  They typically offer a wide range of sports themselves, which means that they have fields to accommodate them.  Using these fields may also be fairly cost effective, since these types of organizations may only ask for donations.  The one challenge here is that availability can be scarce, at times.

 

Operating similarly to YMCA’s or Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs are religious facilities like churches, temples, and mosques.  The larger religious facilities may also have day schools or their own athletic programs.  They may also be very cost effective, and ask for only a donation.

 

 

Playing Field Dimensions

 

In order to assess the size of field space that is required to run your GO Kickball leagues, you must first know the dimensions of a regulation GO Kickball field.  This is important, so you can find a space that can accommodate as many games being played, at the same time, as possible.  This also adds to the potential capacity of each league, which, in turn, maximizes your earning potential (discussed in detail later).  It also provides a better League Bar (discusses later) experience when multiple teams attend at the same time.  To maximize the number of people attending the League Bar, allow space for a minimum of two games to occur simultaneously.

 

The dimensions of a regulation GO Kickball field will fit within a 120 square foot area of level playing field.  There are 60 feet between each base.  From first base and third base, there is an additional 60 feet, down each line, into the outfield, that measures the distance to the outfield limits, plus some space is required along each baseline for the home and away team benches and the catcher and referee to comfortably stand behind home plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ideal Types of Space

 

With the GO Kickball field dimensions in mind, space to accommodate multiple games, simultaneously, can now be considered.  Ideal types of spaces to consider are:

 

• Both Public and Private Parks

• Recreational/Multipurpose Facilities

• Soccer Fields

• Softball Fields

• School Fields

• Football Fields

 

Though baseball fields yield the same general shape of a GO Kickball field, the dimensions are not always the same, and they are not optimal for multiple games to be played simultaneously.  For these reasons, baseball fields are not necessarily ideal; though they can be used when other, more ideal field space is not available.

 

Open, green spaces and soccer fields are ideal.  Generally three kickball fields can be setup on one soccer field.

 

Space Usage Details

 

Now that you have identified several, truly ideal locations to play kickball, details of using the space must be coordinated.  Contact information for those people who coordinate the fields and the fields’ usage can also be found by utilizing the same search engines that were used in locating the fields in the beginning.  Upon contacting those decision makers, there will be several details of usage that must be worked out including:

 

• Availability

• Costs

• Site Regulations

• Site Limitations

 

These factors are important in making a final decision, because the league’s needs must be met.  Sometimes, several locations can be used for scheduling reasons, so long as the situation remains cost effective.

**Note** Contacting the appropriate people to use government facilities (i.e. City, State, and Count Parks) can be a long, difficult process.  Constant contact, and office visits are usually needed.  Once contact has been established, maintain those relationships for ease of use in the future.

 

 

Economics of Field Space

 

Field Space is one of your more significant expenses of doing business, so limiting costs and maximizing those resources is paramount to your success.  It’s important to find locations that fit your operating budget while considering the factors above, as well as getting the most for your money

In most cases, field rentals are on a per-hour basis, so try to secure fields where you can fit multiple kickball games playing simultaneously.

 

For example..  Let’s say fields in your city cost $60 per hour.   We can fit up to 4 kickball fields on a soccer field, verses only 2 kickball games on a softball field.  Thus the soccer field affords greater capacity and better value.  In this case if your league is scheduling 4 games per night, you could fit all four on a soccer field for only $60, for an effective rate of $15 per kickball game.  Whereas since a softball field fits only 2 games per hour, you would need to rent for 2 hours and a total of $120, for an effective rate of $30 per kickball game (2 games the first hour, and 2 games the 2nd hour.)

 

For even greater savings, seek alternative fields as well such as with schools or churches, who may rent their fields on a more economical per-season basis.

 

Ultimately, look to build relationships and partnerships with parks long-term, so they’ll keep your best interests in mind when other competition inquires about your fields.