Warning track

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007)

The orange-colored clay warning track is seen between the outfield grass and the Green Monster, the left field wall at Fenway Park.

A warning track is the term for the part of the baseball field that is closest to the wall or fence and is typically made of dirt, instead of grass or artificial turf like most of the field.^{[citation needed]} It runs parallel to the ballpark's wall and looks like a running track.^{[citation needed]} The change of terrain from grass to dirt serves as a "warning" for fielders trying to make a deep catch that they are running out of room, since it is often difficult for the fielder to keep his eye on a fly ball while keeping track of his position relative to the wall.^{[citation needed]}

The term "warning track", in common use, typically refers only to the outfield portion of the track, since infielders seldom encounter it, and even more rarely approach it at the high speeds of an outfielder trying to get under a deep fly ball.^{[citation needed]} A batter who swings with all his might but has the ball caught at the warning track – only feet from scoring a home run — is said to have "warning track power."^{[citation needed]}

Despite the warning track's presence, it is common to see outfielders crash into the wall to make a catch, due either to a desire to field the play regardless of the outcome or because they fail to register the warning.^{[citation needed]}

The term "warning track" comes from Old Yankee Stadium, where an actual running track was built for the use of track and field events.^{[citation needed]} This also helped outfielders know when they were approaching the wall, and soon every ballpark was using one.^{[citation needed]}