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Dimensions for Baseball

Baseball is a bat and ball game between two teams of nine players each and is played on an enclosed field under jurisdiction of one or more umpires. The team that scores the greater number of runs is the winner.

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The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

The infield (also named diamond), where the bases are located, and the outfield constitute the baseball field. The playing field is delimited on both sides by the foul lines which separate the fair territory and the foul territory.

The bases are located on the infield diamond. All bases, including home base, are in fair territory and are 27.4m apart in the counterclockwise order in which they are to be run. Layout of a baseball diamond

Field dimensions

The regulation field is used for the open, Under 18 and Under 16 age groups. A modified field is used for Little League and Under 14. 

The pitcher’s mound is 18.44m from home plate and located in the centre of the infield. It is a 5.5m mound of dirt no higher than 25.4cm. Near the centre of the mound is the pitching rubber, a rectangular slab measuring 61cm x 15cm.

The batter’s box is 1.2m x 2.9m. The catcher’s box is 1.3m x 2.4m.

 The distance from home plate to the outfield fence must be at least 98m along the left and right field foul lines and 122m at the centre outfield.

A home run fence is compulsory in all age groups so a totally enclosed playing field is obtained.

First, second and third base are marked by white canvas bags, 38.1cm², not less than 7.6cm or more than 12.7cm inches thick, filled with soft material and securely attached to the ground. They differ from home base, which is a five-sided slab of whitened rubber. It is 3.2cm square with two of the corners removed so that one edge is 43cm long, two are 21.5cm and two are 30.48cm. It is set in the ground so that the 43cm edge faces the pitcher’s plate.

  Age Distance between bases Distance home plate to pitcher's plate Foul line length from home base
Regulation field Under 16, Under 18, 18 and over 27.4m 18.44m 97.5m
Junior field Under 14 24.38m 16.45m 76.2m
Little league   18.288 14.02m 60.96m

Lighting

Lighting over the playing field must be uniform with minimal shadows and glare to both players and spectators. Floodlights are arranged to ensure overlapping beams in four directions over the infield area and from two directions over the outfield. The recommended height of the lowest floodlight is 25m.

The recommended illuminances (lux) for baseball are as follows: 

Level of play Horizontal Vertical
  Infield Outfield Infield Outfield
Natonal and international 1500 1000 1000 500
AAA 750 500 550 250
Club match or training 250 150 200 75

 

 
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