Athletic & Sports Field Fencing in Central Arkansas
United Fence is a commercial fence contractor. We build permanent chain link structures for athletic facilities across Central Arkansas: backstops, field and perimeter fence, court fence, dugout and bleacher fencing, and gates. Everything on one contract, installed on site, built on concrete footings to last.
If your school, parks department, or athletic complex needs permanent field fencing, start with a free quote. We come to your site.
Fencing Built for Ball Fields, Courts, and Athletic Complexes
A portable fence ships in a box. A permanent athletic fence is built on site: posts set in concrete, fabric tensioned to spec, gates hung plumb, and every part of the system engineered for the wind loads and physical demands of the field it lives on. That is what United Fence does.
We are a commercial fence contractor based in North Little Rock. We have built and installed commercial fencing in Central Arkansas since 1953. We work exclusively with commercial clients: school athletic departments, parks and recreation departments, municipal facility managers, and private athletic complex operators.
Every project starts with a site visit and a written quote built on your facility’s actual dimensions. There is no catalog to order from and no standard package. We measure your field, assess site conditions, and design the fence system to fit.
What We Fence at an Athletic Facility
A complete athletic facility build involves multiple fence scopes. Here is what we install:
01
Softball and baseball fencing. Backstops, baselines, outfield boundary, and padding.
02
Bullpens. Enclosed bullpen areas built to your field specifications.
03
Scoreboard poles and foul poles.
04
Football, soccer, and lacrosse field fencing.
05
Track fencing. Perimeter and infield.
06
Golf facilities and golf netting.
07
Court fencing. Tennis, basketball, pickleball, and multi-use courts, including net posts, windscreen, and court gates for tennis.
08
Dugout and bleacher area fencing. Player and spectator separation along the field.
09
Dugout rails and spectator rails. Handrail and guardrail for bleacher areas.
10
Stadium and venue security fencing. Crowd control and restricted-area separation.
11
Gates and access control. Manual, slide, and electric gate systems throughout the facility.
12
Backstop and field netting. Turnkey, including poles and foundations, sold as a standalone service or combined with the fence scope.
13
Wall and rail padding.
14
Windscreen. Green or black, installed on chain link.
15
Temporary fencing. For athletic events and construction staging.
If your facility involves a scope not listed here, ask. We have been building commercial fence for athletic applications in Central Arkansas since 1953.
Softball and Baseball Backstops
The backstop is the most structural element on a softball or baseball field. It is not just containment: it is the first thing an athletic director or groundskeeper examines, it takes the most concentrated punishment on the field, and when it fails, the game stops. United Fence builds baseball and softball backstops to professional standards.
A backstop system is more than chain link in a frame. It is the structural posts, the panels or arched frame, the tensioning hardware, the top overhang geometry, and the concrete foundations beneath it. We build the full assembly. We do not sell panels and leave the concrete to someone else.
Panelized Backstops
The traditional backstop style: multiple chain link panels fastened together to form the barrier behind home plate. We recommend 9-gauge material for panelized backstops.
Galvanized and black vinyl-coated chain link are the most popular choices, but a panelized backstop can be built with any chain link type and finish.
Panelized backstops are well suited for recreational leagues, school facilities, and parks department fields where straight-run backstop geometry is appropriate and cost is a primary constraint.
Arch Backstops
Arched backstops provide better foul-ball protection than panelized systems. The curved top section deflects high foul balls and wild pitches back toward the field rather than into the crowd. Arch backstops are much more difficult to climb and can withstand wind speeds of up to 150 mph. We recommend 9-gauge chain link for arch backstops, or a combination of 6-gauge and 9-gauge.
Arch backstops are the appropriate choice for higher-level school and collegiate facilities, for fields with significant spectator exposure behind the plate, and for facilities in high-wind environments. The arch geometry also produces a cleaner, more finished look that suits higher-profile facilities.
Both styles are available in galvanized and black vinyl-coated chain link. Material selection depends on your facility’s maintenance approach, appearance requirements, and governing body standards.
United Fence also installs backstop netting as a turnkey service: poles, foundations, fabrication, and hang. You can quote the backstop structure and the net system together, or book each scope separately. Not sure which you need? We will spec it on site.
Softball and Baseball Field Fencing
The fence that runs the baselines, defines the field boundaries, and separates the playing area from spectator areas is the foundational scope on a softball or baseball complex. This includes baselines, outfield boundary fencing, cap rail, and padding.
Chain link fencing is the most popular choice for field fences. It is easily repaired and generally low maintenance, practical advantages that matter when a school or parks department maintains the field year after year. We install chain link field fence in gauge and height specifications appropriate for your level of play, your governing body requirements, and your site.
We also install fencing for football field sidelines and perimeters, soccer and lacrosse field boundaries and perimeters, track fencing for running track perimeters and infields, and multi-sport athletic complexes. Every field fence project starts with a site visit.
Tennis, Basketball, and Multi-Court Fencing
Court fencing has different requirements than field fencing. Tennis courts require taller fence, typically 10 to 12 feet, with a smaller mesh opening to contain the ball and minimize throughput at speed. Basketball courts use chain link or ornamental iron depending on facility context. Multi-use recreation courts require gauge and height specifications matched to the sports being played.
No national catalog supplier stocks a court fence system calibrated to your specific court geometry, footing conditions, or governing body standard. A permanent court fence is built on site, to your dimensions, on engineered footings. That is the difference between buying panels and having a fence built.
Golf facilities and driving ranges are also within our scope. We install fence systems and netting for golf facilities across Central Arkansas.
We also install windscreen on court fencing for privacy, wind reduction, and visual separation. Windscreen is available in green or black.
United Fence installs permanent, built-on-site court fencing for:
Tennis courts. Chain link, typically 10 to 12 feet, smaller mesh opening; including net posts, windscreen, and court gates.
Basketball courts. Chain link or ornamental iron depending on context.
Pickleball courts.
Multi-use recreation courts and school athletic courts.
Dugout, Bleacher, and Spectator Area Fencing
Athletic fencing is commonly used to define and protect the dugout and bleacher areas. Dugout fencing separates the player bench area from the field of play and from adjacent areas. Bleacher and spectator area fencing channels crowd movement, provides a barrier between seating and the field, and protects spectators from flying balls along the foul lines.
We have installed dugout and bleacher fencing at baseball fields, football fields, and multi-sport athletic complexes across Central Arkansas. Every installation is chain link, built on site, matched to the gauge and coating of the field fence it connects to.
We also install dugout rails and spectator rails at athletic facilities. Handrail and guardrail systems are available for bleacher and spectator areas. Wall and rail padding is available throughout the facility.
We also install crowd control fencing and venue security fencing for events and restricted-area separation at athletic facilities.
Gates and Access Control for Athletic Facilities
Every athletic facility needs controlled access: entry gates for spectators, equipment gates for maintenance vehicles and groundskeeping crews, pedestrian gates between the playing area and the dugout, and slide gates or overhead gates for large vehicle access along the perimeter fence.
An athletic gate is not an afterthought. A gate that does not swing true, latch securely, or hold its plumb over seasons of heavy use is a maintenance problem and a security gap. We fabricate gate components in-house to match the fence specifications exactly. Every gate is installed on a properly sized and reinforced gate post, set in an appropriately sized concrete footing.
United Fence installs commercial gate systems for athletic facilities:
- Manual swing gates: single and double, pedestrian and equipment widths.
- Slide gates: for wide vehicle access openings along the perimeter fence.
- Electric and automated gate systems: with access control integration.
- Parking and venue entry gates
Choosing Your Material:
Chain Link, Ornamental Iron, and Temporary
Chain Link
Chain link is the most popular material for athletic field fencing. Durable, low maintenance, easily repaired when a panel takes an impact, and available in a range of gauges and coatings. For backstops and containment applications that take concentrated ball impact, we specify heavier-gauge material. Lighter gauge works for perimeter and separation fence runs.
Chain link is available in galvanized finish and black vinyl-coated finish. Black vinyl-coated chain link blends into the sight lines better on higher-profile fields where spectators are close to the fence. We also install windscreen on chain link for privacy, wind reduction, and visual separation: available in green or black.
For a deeper look at chain link specifications, see our chain link fencing page.
Ornamental Iron
Ornamental iron is the most popular choice for decorative fencing around the arena perimeter, stadium entrances, and facility access points where appearance matters alongside security. Iron fencing is a common choice for entry fencing and fan experience areas at higher-profile athletic venues. For facilities with both field-facing and public-facing fence, we frequently combine chain link on the field side with ornamental iron on the street-facing perimeter.
Anti-climb Fencing
Anti-climb fencing is an option for high-security athletic facility perimeters where deterring unauthorized access over the fence is a requirement.
Temporary Fencing
Temporary fencing supports athletic events, construction staging, crowd management, and season-end closures. We offer temporary fence installation and removal for athletic events and facility construction projects.
All materials are fabricated or sourced to spec. Our in-house fabrication operation in North Little Rock produces custom panel dimensions, non-standard gate sizes, and specialty configurations. Learn about in-house fabrication.
How We Build It: Post Spacing, Wind Load, and Footings
The quality of a permanent athletic fence is determined by what happens before the fabric goes up.
Post Spacing
We calculate post spacing based on the material, gauge, and framework of the fence. Correct spacing keeps the panel taut, distributes load evenly across the line, and prevents the sagging and lean that appear in installations where spacing was guessed rather than engineered. Post spacing also determines gate post placement, which affects how a gate hangs and swings over its entire service life.
Wind Load
Athletic fields are open and exposed. A fence that holds in normal conditions can fail in a severe storm if the post spacing and footing design did not account for the actual wind exposure at that site. We incorporate wind load into the structural design of every installation. Post height, panel exposure, and site orientation all factor into how much lateral force the fence system will see.
Post Footings
We engineer post footings to maintain the structural integrity of the fence throughout its service life. Footing depth, diameter, and concrete mix depend on soil conditions, post height, and the mechanical demands of that section of fence. A gate post needs a different footing than a line post. A backstop corner post needs a different footing than a perimeter panel run.
Permanent vs. Portable
A temporary portable panel is engineered to hold itself upright. That is the only thing it needs to do. A permanent fence built on concrete footings, with post spacing and wind load calculated for your specific site, is a fundamentally different structure. It does not blow over in a storm, sag after two seasons, or fail at the gate post.
National catalog suppliers and portable-fence shippers cannot offer this work. They ship product. United Fence builds the fence.
Serving Schools, Parks, and Athletic Complexes Across Central Arkansas
United Fence is a commercial contractor based in North Little Rock. We have worked on softball and baseball fields, football fields, basketball and pickleball courts, tennis courts, soccer and lacrosse fields, batting cages, and athletic facilities throughout Central Arkansas since 1953, including field fencing and backstop systems for the Travelers. We have worked alongside groundskeepers from local schools and with operations staff at athletic facilities and venues across the region. Every project is a commercial job, quoted and managed as one.
We serve these cities and the surrounding areas. Follow each link for location-specific information about our athletic fencing services:
- Athletic Fencing in Little Rock
- Athletic Fencing in North Little Rock
- Athletic Fencing in Benton
- Athletic Fencing in Bryant
- Athletic Fencing in Conway
- Athletic Fencing in Cabot
- Athletic Fencing in Hot Springs
- Athletic Fencing in Jacksonville
- Athletic Fencing in Maumelle
- Athletic Fencing in Sherwood
See all service locations and contact information.
For schools and educational facilities, we offer security fencing and campus perimeter solutions. See our school security fencing guide for facility managers.
We also work with school districts and educational institutions across Central Arkansas on perimeter security, campus access control, and athletic fence for school facilities.
Call: (501) 222-1503
Athletic Fencing FAQs
Cost depends on the type of fence, the material and gauge, the linear footage, post spacing and footing requirements, the number and type of gates, and site-access conditions. There is no standard per-foot price that applies to every configuration. The fastest way to get a real number is a site visit. Call (501) 222-1503 or request a quote online, and we will come to your field and deliver a written estimate.
Height depends on the application. Backstops behind home plate typically run from 10 to 20 feet or taller, depending on the level of play and spectator exposure. Field perimeter fence for recreational baseball typically runs 4 to 6 feet. Tennis court enclosure fence typically runs 10 to 12 feet. Basketball court fence height varies by facility context. We specify fence height for your facility during the site visit based on your sport, your field configuration, and any governing body requirements that apply.
We install chain link in a range of gauges depending on the application. For backstops, we recommend 9-gauge material. For arch backstops, we recommend 9-gauge or a combination of 6-gauge and 9-gauge. For perimeter and field fence, gauge selection depends on the application and the client’s preference for maintenance and longevity. Mesh opening size for court fence varies by sport: tennis court fence uses a smaller mesh than a backstop or field perimeter fence. We will recommend the right specifications for your facility during the site visit.
At a softball or baseball field, the main categories are: backstops (the structural chain link system behind home plate), field fencing (baselines, outfield boundary, and padding), dugout and bleacher fencing (separating player and spectator areas from the field and from each other), and gates (entry, exit, and equipment access points throughout the fence line). We also install court fencing for tennis, basketball, pickleball, and multi-use courts, as well as fencing for softball and baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields, and track fencing.
A backstop is the chain link structure behind home plate designed to contain wild pitches, passed balls, and foul balls and protect players on deck, coaches, and spectators. Standard backstop height, width, and overhang dimensions vary by level of play and field layout. High school and collegiate facilities typically require taller systems and longer overhangs than recreational leagues. We measure your specific field during the site visit and spec the backstop for your configuration, your governing body, and your spectator exposure. Do not specify a backstop without a site visit.
A panelized backstop fastens multiple chain link panels together to form the barrier behind home plate. We recommend 9-gauge chain link. Galvanized and black vinyl-coated are the most popular finishes. An arch backstop uses a curved top section that provides better foul-ball protection, is much more difficult to climb, and can withstand wind speeds of up to 150 mph. We recommend 9-gauge or a combination of 6-gauge and 9-gauge. Both styles are available in galvanized and black vinyl-coated chain link.
Yes to both. United Fence offers turnkey netting installation: poles, foundations, fabrication, and hang, sold as a standalone service or combined with a fence project. A single quote can cover the chain link backstop structure, the field fence, the gates, and the net system above the backstop. One site visit, one combined estimate. Call (501) 222-1503 or request a quote to start.
Cost depends on court dimensions, fence height, gauge, the number and type of gates, and site conditions. We will visit your site, measure, and give you a written quote. Call (501) 222-1503 or request a quote online to start.
Yes. We work with school athletic directors, parks and recreation departments, and municipal facility managers across Central Arkansas. We are a commercial contractor: every project is quoted and managed as a commercial job. Contact us to discuss your facility’s requirements and timeline.
Yes. United Fence offers commercial fence and gate repair with no prior relationship required. If your field fence needs panel replacement, post repair, or gate work, call us and we will come out to assess the repair scope. Learn more about our fence and gate repair service.
Yes. We fabricate fence components in-house at our North Little Rock facility. Custom panel dimensions, non-standard gate sizes, and specialty configurations are available. Custom fabrication is useful for backstop geometry, oversized vehicle gates, and any application where standard catalog dimensions do not fit the field. Learn about in-house fabrication.
Yes. A rough estimate is available by phone. A detailed quote requires a site visit. We come to your facility, measure the scope, assess site conditions, and deliver a written quote. No commitment is required to get a quote. Call (501) 222-1503 or request a quote online to schedule.
Related Scopes for Campus and Facility Projects
Athletic field fencing is usually one piece of a larger campus or facility project. Here are the related scopes and resources we can quote alongside an athletic fence build or separately.
Poles, foundations, and the net system hung to your field’s dimensions. Quoted standalone or combined with the fence.
A practical reference for facility managers on perimeter security options and what to specify before you commit to a scope.
The full scope of fencing for school campuses: perimeter, athletic, security, and access control from one commercial contractor.
School and District Procurement
How to work with United Fence through school district bid requirements and institutional purchasing processes.
Playground and Early-Childhood Enclosures
Commercial enclosure fencing for school and park playgrounds, built to safety specifications for children’s outdoor areas.
Get a Free Quote for Athletic and Field Fencing
United Fence works exclusively with commercial clients. If your school, park, or athletic complex in Central Arkansas needs sports field fencing, backstops, court fencing, or gates, start with a free on-site estimate.
We come to your facility. We measure. We give you a written number based on your field’s actual dimensions.
Phone: (501) 222-1503
One year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties. Excludes acts of God.
BBB Accredited. A+ Rating.
Since 1953. Central Arkansas.
