DONE!!! It took about 2 hours. I put the mower on its highest setting and mowed around in a circle, zamboni style. This way I blew the clippings in towards the middle and the mower (which is a mulching mower) was able to go back over the clippings with each pass - so no visible clippings are left to speak of. HOPEFULLY this is the one and only time I have to do this. The baseball boys have a super nice riding mower and should be able to help me out from here on. But honestly, it wasn't that bad. Two hours. I know cross-fit types who spend two hours at the gym. This is a much better workout and I got something done to boot.
There's an IPA in the fridge with my name on it.
Those IPA's would have been in a cooler at the field with me if I was mowing for 2 hours.........