MOUND TARPS – What is the use?
This year we have added mound tarps to the Fields 1 (AA), 2 (Majors) and 3 (AAA). Why? An obvious reason is because it looks good, but other reasons include moisture control and protection.
Moisture control is important to the mound where the clay is packed at the pitchers plate and landing zone (remember the work done on our field work day?). If the clay is packed well and is kept from getting dried out, the clay acts as a firm surface that can be molded and repaired easily, as necessary. If it drys out too much, it becomes very hard and difficult to pitch around, work with, or repair. As many of you have noticed, the tarp, with assistance from the sun, creates moisture under the tarp, keeping the surface workable, but not soaked. In years past, over watering of the mound (rain, sprinklers and hose water) has created game time prep issues, whereas now there is limited manual water applied, preventing delays. Given this information, it is critical that the mound be prepped before covering after practice or a game, not just when preparing for game.
Protect the mound from what? Primarily wind, rain, sprinkler and foot erosion. Please keep the covers on (grey side down), unless you plan to use the mounds. It will slow the progression of infield mix and clay into the grass line around the mound, minimizing the risk of creating a creating a lip or burm around the mound. Raking any accumulation of erosion back up the mound and away from the grass line will also slow this process.
Thanks for reading,
Bruce MacCallum
Field Maintenance
