The softball field dimensions are one of the most confusing parts of the game. Especially for the parents or coaches who are setting up the field. Most teams do not have an association or a “staff” that does it for them so they need to know how to measure the field with the basepaths, the batters box, the pitchers circle, the bunt line and the on deck circles.
Here I will give you a lest of softball field dimensions for each age group. Even at the college level.
Softball Field Dimensions:
USA Pitching and Basepaths:
This is in addition to the batters box, the most used information. It is important to remember that any distances from home plate are done from back point of the plate (which points to the backstop) to the outfield side of the base for first and third. If you want to measure from home to second, it is to the center of the base which is 84 ft and 10.25 inches. .For the pitching measurement, it is done from the point of home plate to the front of the rubber.
|
____________ |
To The |
The |
|
Girls 10U |
35 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Girls 12U |
40 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Girls 14U |
43 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Girls 16U |
43 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Girls 18U |
43 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Women |
43 Feet |
60 Feet |
Some softball field dimensions are always the same. This includes the following:
- Bases are 15 inches square
- The base paths are 3 feet wide
- The pitchers mount is a 8 radius from the front of the pitchers plate
- The pitchers plate is 24 inches long and 6 inches wide
- The on-deck circle is 2 feet 6 inches from the middle of the circle
- The bunt line is half way down the basepath to first and 3 feet from the foule line
The Batters Box Dimensions:
Following are the most common questions about the batters box dimensions. It does not include the exact measurements of the home plate or how far it is from the backstop or the catchers box. Those are not what most coaches and parents deal with. If they are being used, it is often at a tournament and done by the tournament field volunteers.
USA Field Measurements:
Following is a big picture image of the field. I have included the most common dimensions that we as coaches and parents deal with. It is important to let volunteers know if you have them doing the fields that the lines between the bases are for visual only and not to be put on the field. I did have a parent start heading to second with the white line to indicate where second base was going to be. I always will be grateful for the many volunteers that helped out over the years. Something to consider though when you have helpers. For new parents and volunteers, maybe just ask if they have set up the field before. If they have not then ask if they have any questions about it.
Softball Canada Distances as of 2022:
Be sure to check with your local rules and dimensions because they are not always the same. Many local leagues will modify the base and pitching distances based on the age and physical abilities of the players.
|
____________ |
To The |
The |
|
Girls 7U |
30 Feet |
45 Feet |
|
Girls 9U |
30 Feet |
45 Feet |
|
Girls 11U |
35 Feet |
45 Feet |
|
Girls 13U |
38 Feet |
55 Feet |
|
Girls 15U |
40 Feet |
60 Feet |
|
Girls 17U |
43 Feet |
60 Feet |
Softball Rule Book
You will find all of this information in your most recent local softball rule book. Most coaches are given the most up to date rule book at the beginning of the season. You will find that some rules will change periodically based on submissions during the season. You may even find that the softball field dimensions change. For example, it used to be that the pitching distance was 40 ft for all ages and leagues above 15. As the game changed and the pitching got better, the distance was changed for example to 43 ft for college ball.
References:
Some Trivia for you (1937):
- Basepaths were always 60 ft although experimentation was being done with 45 and 50 ft
- The batters box was only 5 ft long and not 7 as they are today
- The bat was made of wood
- Raised seams on the ball were illegal
- Girls pitching distance was 35 ft
Most of the dimensions were the same. At that time there was no youth softball so of course there were no considerations recorded for age groups or skill levels. This is from the “Official Softball Rules and Equipment” rulebook published in 1937 worth 15 cents. Yes I am a bit of a softball geek and collect this stuff.
