Erosion and runoff can have destructive impacts on a sports field. Thus, a durable, well-designed cover is an excellent investment in the long-term. Attractive landscaping and clear, painted lines help keep a field professional and usable. In baseball, exposed clay and specialized soil is especially vulnerable to being picked up and moved by high winds or heavy rain. Long exposure to moisture can cause divots, holes, cracks, and other instabilities in the ground that can severely affect gameplay. In tennis, water can quickly seep into the court material. As the water cools and freezes in the winter, it expands, forcing the cracks wider and causing further damage to the court surface. Not to mention how hard it is to play any sport on a wet surface -- with a rain cover, the material can be removed as soon as the sky is clear, and gameplay can begin right away.
An athletic field cover can also encourage and protect vegetation. Grasses can spread their roots farther as they’re kept insulated by the extra material and resulting warmth. This is especially relevant in baseball, where spring training begins often long before grasses can build strong root structures. Cleats sprinting across the field can be very destructive to young grasses at this stage. Protection during warm days can encourage root growth, providing grass strong enough to withstand all that action. This extra layer can also speed up germination while seeding new grasses. You’ll want to allow rain and sunshine to penetrate without exposing the young grass to extreme conditions. Once the grass is long enough, don’t keep it covered too long, or it may crumple and wilt the grass. Additionally, ensure you’re using blackout material. Material that allows light to penetrate will create its own form of greenhouse. This will trap too much heat, raising temperatures too high, killing the grass.
A cover also discourages the establishment of pests like fire ants, gophers, etc. Preventing animals from accessing the ground and vegetation means they can’t find a place to call home. This is a major boon when it comes to protecting your field, and maintaining an attractive, safe space for players and guests alike.
Just any standard tarp is made from woven materials. This means there are small holes in the material, allowing water to pass through. This permeability allows mud and moisture to be captured underneath the material, even with coverage. Geomembranes are an impermeable material used in most professional grade sports and athletic field covers. These reinforced polyethylene covers are completely waterproof and UV resistant, making them the ideal choice for outdoor usage. Geomembranes can also handle being folded and unfolded repeatedly. Weaker tarps will risk eventual damage like tears, punctures, creases, etc. These are difficult to repair in woven material, as one point of damage will affect the integrity of the entire cover. Geomembranes are much easier to patch and subsequently maintain their usability for years to come.
There are lots of options when looking at pre-built or custom field covers and their materials. Reinforced Polyethylene is one of the best options for field covers due to its durability and UV resistance. Both long- and short-term installations can do very well powered by an RPE cover. Other forms of polyethylene are also excellent ways to cover a field. RPE combines the power of both LDPE and HDPE material to make a flexible, durable solution.
Naturally, even the strongest rain cover will eventually see some wear and tear from usage, inclement weather, and transportation. It’s important to pay close attention and monitor the state of your cover as time passes. Frequent inspections mean that you’ll be more likely to catch damage, issues, or problem areas before they get worse.
Rips, tears, and holes are all normal parts of maintaining a rain cover. Being dragged over debris, folded and unfolded, and other forms of movement mean that damage is very likely. Certain tears or rips can be quickly patched. Unlike woven materials, geomembranes are easily patched and able to be used as normal. Woven tarps lose their overall durability after any part of the material tears or is damaged.
If you notice your grass dying, it’s probably time to replace your rain cover. Tarps that allow light to pass through cause a massive buildup of heat underneath the material, which can burn and kill grass. Heavy materials may also be smothering your grass if they appear to be bent or crumpled.
