A method of identifying perimeter markings for lines on athletic fields involves locating two or more perimeter points on a line of an earthen athletic field comprising a ground surface; drilling a vertical hole in the earth in said points; placing a flexible elongated marking rope with a ground anchor on one end thereof longitudinally into each of the holes so that the ground anchor is in the lower end of the hole, and so that the upper portion of the rope extends from the hole above the ground surface. Loose material, such as loose dirt, is packed into the hole around the rope whereupon the upper portions of the ropes above the ground surface will serve as visible indicators of the location of the points. The rope is a plastic rope of polyethylene or the like which is six to eight inches long. It has a ground anchor on one end. The ground anchor is positioned in the lower end of the hole drilled in the earthen surface and serves to anchor the rope in the hole when loose dirt or the like is packed into the hole around the upwardly extending rope.
An apparatus and method for clearing a playing surface are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a chassis or frame, a sensor connected to the chassis to sense a location of a line on a playing surface that needs to be cleaned, and a drive connected to the chassis to drive the chassis in a selected direction of travel. The apparatus also preferably includes a controller connected to the chassis, in communication with the drive, and responsive to the sensor to control the drive to thereby direct the chassis to move along the line that needs to be cleaned in the selected direction of travel and a cleaning device connected to the chassis to clean the line while the chassis is being driven along the line. Associated software is provided as well.
