Warning track Baseball field

the bottom of picture shows part of orange-colored clay warning track @ fenway park.

the warning track strip of dirt @ edges of baseball field (especially in front of home run fence , along left , right sides of field). because warning track s color , feel differ grass field, fielder can remain focused on fly ball near fence , measure proximity fence while attempting catch ball safely.

a warning track s width not specified in rules. designed give 3 steps of warning highest-level players using field. typical widths run 6 feet little league fields 10–15 feet (3 - 4.5 m) college- or professional-level play. warning track wide lets groundskeepers avoid driving maintenance vehicles on grass.

the track can composed of finely ground rock particles such cinders, why announcer bob wolff called cinder path rather warning track .

the idea of warning track originated in yankee stadium, actual running track built use in track , field events. when ballpark designers saw how track helped fielders, became feature of every ballpark.

single-minded fielders crash wall trying make catch despite warning track. reason, outfield walls typically padded safety. wrigley field s brick wall covered ivy, not soft. however, there pads on walls of tight left , right field corners in foul ground.

warning-track power derogatory term batter seems have enough power hit ball warning track out, not enough hit home run. term more refers or not quite enough something.