A playing field is a field used for playing sports or games. They are generally outdoors, but many large structures exist to enclose playing fields from bad weather. Generally, playing fields are wide expanses of grass, dirt or sand without many obstructions. More recently, some types of fields have begun using a synthetic grass-like material called AstroTurf, but its use is often controversial. In popular language grass means a short, green, ground covering or lawn, usually, but not necessarily comprised of a true grass or grasses, called turf. ... In English, dirt can refer to several things: Soil on the ground. ... Patterns in the sand Sand is an example of a class of materials called granular matter. ... AstroTurf is a registered trademark of Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. ...

There are a variety of different commonly used fields, including

• the cricket field containing the cricket pitch,
• the baseball field,
• the Association Football (soccer) field,
• and the American football field

Metaphorically, a playing field refers to any place or context within which competitive activity takes place, most often economic competition between companies. A metaphorical playing field is said to be level if no external interference such as government regulations affects the ability of the players to compete fairly. See Free Trade. For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket Portal. ... A cricket pitch is the central strip of the playing area between the wickets. ... A baseball field is a playing field used for baseball. ... The striker (wearing red jersey) has run past the defender (in white jersey) and is about to take a shot at the goal, while the goalkeeper positions himself to stop the ball. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... In language, a metaphor is a rhetorical trope where a comparison is made between two seemingly unrelated subjects. ... Competition characterises a biochemical, ecologic, economic, political, or sporting activity whereby two or more individuals or groups strive antagonistically against one another for some reward. ... In construction, level (as an adjective) is to horizontal what plumb is to vertical. ... Free trade between countries means the unhindered flow of goods and services between them, and is a name given to economic policies and parties supporting increases in such trade. ...

The term is also used for collectable card games, where it refers to the area that the cards are placed during gameplay. Collectible card games (CCGs), also called customizable card games or trading card games, are played using specially designed sets of cards. ...