Photo courtesy Gale Associates, Inc. W hile the dictionary definition of evolution might not necessarily relate to sports facilities, recent advancements are generating serious buzz. Here's a rundown. TECHNOLOGY For decades, the electrical needs for sports facilities were focused on power for lighting and outlets for maintenance machines (and later, for reliable Wi-Fi). These days, it is essential to evaluate and understand the technological needs of the facility for various uses, including: * Recording and livestreaming * The ability for high school players to have a strong enough connection to upload highlights of their game to platforms used by college coaches for recruitment purposes * Broadcast capabilities * Instructional camera recording/ playback use (Player Analysis Technology in tennis is one example) * Electronic line-calling (also used in tennis) * Facilities where user access and facility reservations or admittance are controlled via a mobile app DRONES USED FOR FIELD UPKEEP While there's no substitute for actually giving your fields an up-close and in-person inspection, drones are making the day-to-day work a little easier. (Bonus: Drones are far less expensive now than before and easier to operate.) Drone flyovers can identify a few of the following problems: * In grass fields: Yellow or brown spots and bare/skinned areas are both signs of trouble. So are places where the grass appears to be a different shade than in others; fields should be uniformly green. Drone use can also help field managers identify places where lines are faded or worn and need reapplication. * In synthetic fields: Look for areas of standing water (it is necessary to do this either after a rain or after using the irrigation system), places where the turf looks worn or uneven - or places where COACHAD.COM 21http://www.COACHAD.COM