How to Handle Full Infield Tarps

Full infield tarps can cover areas up to 175' x 175'. Depending on the material, they can weigh anywhere from around 1,700 lbs for a 6 oz. woven polyethylene tarp to roughly 2,500 lbs for a heavier 10 oz. vinyl option. Lighter tarps require fewer people to handle and cost significantly less. Heavier vinyl tarps perform better in windy conditions and tend to have greater longevity.

If manpower isn't a constraint, vinyl is generally the preferred choice — but a well-trained crew with any tarp will always outperform an untrained crew with the best tarp on the market.

Dirt and topdressing accumulate on the underside of a tarp over time and add significant weight. After draining water in the outfield, let the underside dry out before re-rolling. To clean off dried material, fold the tarp in half and open it back up — repeat from the other side. The dried soil will consolidate into a windrow that you can scoop up with a plastic shovel and return to the infield or discard.

Don't let small holes become big problems. As soon as a hole is discovered, clean the surrounding fabric with soapy water or a quality household cleaner and allow it to dry completely before applying a patch. Use patches with rounded corners — they're far less likely to snag and peel. Apply a quality contact cement to both the patch and the tarp, let it get tacky, then press the patch firmly into place. Always patch both sides of the tarp for the strongest, longest-lasting repair.

Deploying a tarp in a thunderstorm with high winds is one of the most demanding things a grounds crew does. A few cardinal rules to follow:

1. Keep the tarp low. When winds pick up, keep the tarp as close to the ground as possible to prevent it from catching air and inflating.
2. Never stand on an inflated tarp. If a large air bubble forms underneath and you're standing on it, a strong gust can send you airborne.
3. Know when to let go. If the wind is pulling the tarp out of your control, release it. When you let go, the tarp will quickly deflate and you can reposition it. No tarp is worth a shoulder injury.

When deploying or repositioning a water-logged tarp, air is your friend — in calm conditions. Running with the tarp traps air in the fold, which prevents the top layer from sticking to the wet surface below and helps lift the tarp so it can be maneuvered with less friction. This technique makes it much easier for a smaller crew to move a tarp that would otherwise feel impossibly heavy.

The two most common anchoring methods are tarp pins and sandbags. Both work, but each has trade-offs.

Tarp pins are fast — you can carry a large number in your hand and anchor a tarp quickly, which matters in fast-moving weather situations. They're our preferred option for most applications. Sandbags are reliable but break down over time with UV exposure, and you're limited to moving two or three at a time.

Avoid using field equipment, tires, or logs to anchor tarps — equipment can be damaged if the tarp breaks free and slams into it.

The best way to store a full infield tarp is wrapped around a tarp tube — typically made from PVC corrugated culvert piping in 24" or 28" diameter. Double-wall piping offers better structural integrity and is worth the upgrade. Sections can be joined to create longer tubes, and longer is better — a 40' minimum is recommended for any infield tarp. The longer the tube, the less you have to fold the tarp, which means less trapped air, less drag, and faster deployment.

Whenever possible, dry the tarp completely before stowing. A dry tarp is lighter, easier to fold, less prone to mold and mildew, and a lot less unpleasant to handle. When you're ready to fold:

1. Stretch the tarp out flat with as few wrinkles as possible.
2. Begin folding in half. If the tarp is wet, pump air into the fold as you pull it over to prevent sticking.
3. Continue folding to the width needed for your tarp tube.
4. Roll the tarp tube down the length of the folded tarp to push out trapped air before rolling up.
5. Line the tube up with the folded tarp and roll tightly and evenly — a loose roll creates drag and makes deployment harder when you need it most.

The bottom line

A full infield tarp is one of the best investments a program can make in field protection, but it comes with real operational demands. Trained staff, regular practice, and proper maintenance are what separate a tarp that performs when it counts from one that becomes a liability. Start with the right material for your needs, maintain it well, and make sure everyone on your crew knows the protocol before the skies open up.