When the baseball and softball season gets rolling, rain showers become a regular factor for groundskeepers. But area tarps are used for more than just rain protection — the primary purpose of mound covers and home plate tarps is to retain and manage moisture in the soil and clay beneath them. The more moisture you keep in your clay areas, the better they perform and the less wear you'll experience. Below are four tips to help you get the most out of your area tarps.
Fold your area tarps as little as possible
When new, tarp material is very flexible and easily manipulated. Over time, UV rays slowly break down that protection, causing the material to become more brittle — that's when damage begins to show. How you handle your tarps day-to-day determines how quickly problems occur.
- Roll instead of fold whenever you can.
- If you must fold, use as few folds as possible.
- Change the fold orientation each time to avoid creasing the same spot repeatedly.
- If you have a large infield tarp on a tarp tube, store your smaller tarps fan-folded on top for rapid deployment.
Keep your area tarps as clean as possible
Dirt and topdressing accumulate on tarps over time and add significant weight. Keeping them clean extends their life and makes them much easier to handle.
- Flip tarps periodically so rainfall can naturally clean the underside — no extra labor needed.
- During daily use, always try to dry tarps before folding and stowing to keep mold, mildew, and odor to a minimum.
- At the end of the season, clean and dry both sides thoroughly with soapy water before off-season storage.
Repair rips and holes as soon as they're discovered
Inspect tarps for holes every time you pull them — puddles on the dirt underneath are a dead giveaway. Don't let small problems become big ones.
- Aggressively clean a large area around the hole on both sides with soapy water. Dry thoroughly.
- Cut a patch larger than the hole — always use rounded corners to prevent snagging and peeling.
- Apply vinyl or contact cement to both the patch and the tarp, let it get tacky, then press firmly into place.
- Always patch both sides of the tarp for the strongest, longest-lasting repair.
Properly secure tarps to prevent wind from pulling them loose
Under normal weather conditions, anchor tarps every 6 to 8 feet. When stronger winds are expected — 20 mph or more — tighten that spacing to every 3 to 4 feet.
- Tarp pins — 10" pins provide excellent anchoring and deploy fast, which matters when weather moves in quickly.
- Rubber field weights — A reliable alternative to sandbags, which break down with UV exposure and spill material everywhere.
- Weighted tarps — Ball bearings or chain sewn into the hem anchor well on their own, though the added weight makes them harder to dump and fold.
Pro Tip
Avoid parking equipment on tarps to anchor them. Wheels turning on gritty infield topdressing can abrade and damage the tarp material over time.
The Bottom Line
Follow these four care recommendations — fold less, keep them clean, repair damage promptly, and anchor properly — and your area tarps should deliver several years of reliable use. They're one of the hardest-working tools on your field. A little routine maintenance goes a long way.
Have questions about which tarp is right for your field? The On Deck Sports team is happy to help you find the right fit.