An infield baseball tarp is a large waterproof cover pulled over the skinned infield before rain so the clay stays dry and playable. It is a staple at every level from high school to the pros, and it is also one of the most labor-intensive parts of running a natural field. Many programs now weigh tarping against an all-weather turf field that drains through the surface and can often be played on shortly after a storm.
Why an infield baseball tarp matters
Infield skin is a mix of sand, silt and clay engineered to be firm and fast when dry. Saturate it and it turns to mud: footing is lost, ruts form, and the infield can take a long time to dry back to playable condition. Grass areas generally recover faster than skin, which is why tarping focuses on the infield dirt, the mound and home plate.
Tarping protects:
- The infield skin, keeping moisture levels consistent
- The pitcher’s mound and batter’s boxes, which use packing clay
- The schedule, by turning a potential rainout into a delay
Types of baseball and softball tarps
| Tarp type | Covers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Full infield tarp | Entire skinned infield and mound | Baseball and softball fields with crews to deploy it |
| Softball field tarp | Smaller softball infield | Softball diamonds with shorter base paths |
| Spot covers | Mound, home plate, bullpens | Quick protection of high-value clay areas |
| Full field baseball tarp | Infield and much of the outfield | Rare; mainly high-level venues |
| Sideline or weighted covers | Bullpens, cages, foul areas | Supplemental protection |
Tarps are commonly made from reinforced polyethylene or vinyl-coated fabric, with heavier vinyl tarps lasting longer and resisting wind better. Size is matched to the infield: a softball field tarp is smaller than a baseball infield tarp because softball base paths are shorter.
How to deploy an infield tarp
- Watch the radar earlyGet the tarp out before the rain starts. A dry infield under a tarp recovers fastest.
- Unroll from a set positionMost crews unroll from the first or third base side, often using a roller or storage tube.
- Pull it squareSpread crew members around the edges and pull evenly so the tarp covers all skin.
- Weight the edgesSandbags or weighted edges keep wind from getting underneath.
- Remove carefullyRoll or pull water off toward the outfield grass, not onto the skin.
Pro tip: Do not leave a tarp on longer than needed in hot sun. Trapped heat and humidity can stress the grass along the edges.
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How synthetic infields reduce tarp dependency
Natural skin infield
- Must be tarped before rain
- Needs dragging, watering and conditioner
- Can be unplayable after heavy storms
- Requires a trained crew on game days
Synthetic turf infield
- Water drains through the turf and stone base
- Often playable shortly after rain stops
- No dragging or nail-dragging between innings
- Mound and plate areas may still use clay or turf inserts
Drainage only works if the base is graded correctly. Accurate grading is critical on both natural and synthetic fields; see laser grading for sports fields. Some programs choose a middle path with reinforced natural surfaces; our page on hybrid grass explains how that works.
Choosing your approach
If your schedule is regularly disrupted by rain, or your volunteers spend more time on tarps than on practice, a synthetic or partially synthetic diamond may make sense. The key is a properly graded base with adequate drainage. Talk to experienced crews about sports turf installation for your diamond.
Infield tarp FAQ
What size tarp do I need for a softball field?
Softball tarps are sized to the smaller softball infield. Measure your skinned area, including foul territory around home plate, and choose a tarp that covers it with some overlap.
What is a baseball tarp made of?
Most are reinforced polyethylene or vinyl-coated fabric. Vinyl is heavier and more durable; polyethylene is lighter and easier to handle.
Do turf baseball fields need tarps?
Fully synthetic fields usually do not, because water drains through the surface. Fields with clay mounds or plate areas may still cover those spots.
How many people does it take to pull an infield tarp?
It depends on tarp size and wind, but full infield tarps usually need a crew of several people working together.
The complete turf installation guide
What a quality install looks like, the eight installation steps, spec sheets, and how to choose an installer.