Dimensions for Softball

There are two forms of softball played around the world ─ fast pitch and slow pitch softball.

Related topics: softball

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.

Softball - fast pitch

Softball is a nine-a-side bat and ball game. The aim of the game is to advance batters from base to base around the diamond, after hitting the ball. A run is scored each time a batter makes it back to the home plate.

Playing field

The playing field is a clear and unobstructed area within a radius from home plate between two foul lines as follows:

67.06m for junior and women fast pitch
76.20m for junior and men fast pitch
80.77m for junior women slow pitch
83.82m for women and mixed slow pitch
91.44m for men slow pitch

The area outside the foul lines and between home plate and backstop is between 7.62m and 9.14m wide.

Official diamond

The distance between the base lines is 18.29m for fast pitch and 19.81m for slow pitch. The pitching distances are as follows:

13.11m for female fast pitch
14.02m for juniors and men fast pitch
15.24m for male and mixed slow pitch
12.19m for junior girls fast pitch

Bases

First and second bases are squared at 38cm and not more than 12.7cm thick. First base is a double base measuring 76cm x 38cm.

One metre line

This line is drawn parallel to and 0.91m from the baseline, starting at the halfway point between home plate and first base.

Batter’s on-deck circle

This is a 1.52m circle 0.76m in diameter adjacent to the end of the player’s bench closest to home plate.

Catcher’s box

3.05m long and 2.57m wide from the rear outside corners of the batters’ boxes.

Pitcher’s plate

The Pitcher’s Plate is level with the ground and made of rubber 61cm long and 15.2cm wide. The front of the plate is the following distance from home plate:

14.02m for male (adult and junior) fast pitch
15.24m for all slow pitch
13.11m for female (adult and junior) fast pitch

Coaches' box

Each coaches’ box is behind a line 4.57m long drawn outside the diamond. The line is parallel to and 3.65m from the first and third baselines, extended from the bases towards home plate.

Layout of a softball pitch

Lighting

Softball is a high-speed ball sport where the ball may travel in excess of 60 m/s. There is potential danger from the possibility of a collision and contact between players and between players and the ball. There is also considerable ball travel between the other three bases and the pitcher. Appropriate pole heights, locations and floodlighting aiming are essential for good player and spectator visibility.

The recommended illuminances for softball are outlined in the table below:

Level of play	Horizontal		Vertical		Pole height
Level of play	infield	outfield	infield	outfield	Pole height
International and national	650 lux	450 lux	450 lux	200 lux	25m
Club competition or training	250 lux	150 lux	200 lux	75 lux	20m

Softball - slow pitch

Recreational slow pitch softball is an ideal game for people of all ages. It allows players to compete together in mixed or single-sex teams and provides the opportunity for inexperienced and experienced players to participate in an enjoyable recreational activity. Slow-pitch softball is basically the same as fast-pitch softball except that the ball is pitched at a moderate pace and with a visible arc, thus allowing the batter to hit and place the ball more easily. Further modifications are made in order to reduce the risk of injury.

Mod ball

Mod ball is the modified version of softball for boys and girls 10−12 years of age. Mod ball provides children with an opportunity to refine the skills learned in tee ball and introduces new skills in a game situation suited to the needs, size and abilities of children in this age group.

The grounds are marked as for softball except:

baselines are 15.2m
pitching distance is 9.2m from the apex of home plate
the pitching plate is in the centre of a circle with a 1.8m radius

Tee ball

Tee ball is the modified version of softball for boys and girls 5−12 years of age. The rules of softball have been modified to provide children with an introduction to the skills of softball in a friendly game situation suited to their size and ability.

The major modifications include no pitching, hitting the ball off a 'tee' of adjustable height, a time limit of one hour and playing on a diamond which is only two-thirds of the senior size. A team consists of 9−12 players.

The grounds are marked for softball except that:

baselines are 5.25m long
pitching distance from home plate – 9m from apex of h ome plate
an arc with a radius of 4.5m from the apex of home plate is drawn in the infield from the home/first base line to the home/third base line
a field limit line is drawn parallel to and 7.5m−9m outside the home/first base line and the home/third base line

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