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Bleachers
What are bleachers?
"Bleachers" is the common word used to describe the raised, tiered stands found flanking amateur public and private sports fields, arenas, stadiums or outdoor venues. Bleachers are long rows of plank bench seating, typically designed in an alternating steps-and-seats configuration. They range in size from small, modular, aluminum stands that can be moved around football, soccer, field hockey, or softball/baseball fields (also known as tip-n-roll bleachers) to large permanent structures that flank either side of a high school athletic field. They typically represent a permanent seating solution that is fixed in place, anchored and not moved.
Aluminum bleachers generally fit into one of four categories: permanent/stationary, portable/movable, telescopic/folding, and temporary. Southern Bleacher is the leading manufacturer and distributor of temporary and stadium bleachers for high schools, universities, speedways, fairgrounds and professional facilities.
Where exactly does the term "bleachers" come from?
Some say the Chicago Tribune coined the term "bleachers" in 1889. Bleachers are usually located in the area just past the outfield fence of the left and right fields in many baseball stadiums. Because this part of Wrigley Field is not covered, the sun beat down on it and caused the color of the seats to fade, or "bleach". Anyone who has done a load of laundry knows the word "bleach" means to make white or lighten the color of something. Rarely made from wood today, with aluminum as the material of choice, this type of seating is common in other types of arenas, and is even found indoors in gymnasiums.
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