In designing athletic complexes, which orientation is optimal for most sports fields?

• A. East-West
• B. North-South
• C. Northeast-Southwest
• D. Any orientation

Answer: (B)

The optimal orientation for most sports fields is north-south. This alignment is primarily due to the sun's path across the sky, which travels from east to west. When fields are oriented north-south, players on opposite teams face each other while minimizing the risk of being blinded by the sun during games, particularly those occurring during early evening or late afternoon.

In addition, a north-south orientation allows for more uniform light conditions across the field, which enhances visibility for both players and spectators. For sports like soccer, football, and baseball, where players often need to track the ball against the backdrop of the sky, this arrangement dramatically improves playability and safety.

Other orientations, like east-west or northeast-southwest, can result in significant shadowing and glare issues, adversely affecting game performance and safety. While "any orientation" might seem viable, it does not take into account these critical visibility factors that are essential for proper athletic competition and enjoyment. Therefore, aligning fields in a north-south direction is the best practice for designing athletic complexes.