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The Ultimate Guide to Softball Field Dimensions 2025

June 20, 2025

Diagram of a softball field done in watercolor.

Whether you are planning the layout of a brand-new diamond or auditing an existing one, using precise softball field dimensions is non-negotiable for player safety, fairness, and recruiting credibility. This guide addresses the most frequently asked questions about college softball pitching distance, softball base distance, the size of a softball field, and more—ensuring your layout meets all NFHS and NCAA requirements.

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Softball Field Dimension Cheat Sheet

Softball Field Dimension Cheat Sheet

Baselines

60 ft

Pitching Rubber to Home Plate

43 ft

Home Plate to Second Base

84 ft 10 ¼ in

Backstop from Home Plate

25-30 ft

Outfield Fence from Home Plate

~ 220 ft

Batters Box

3 ft wide by 7 ft long

Home Plate to Backstop

gap of 25 – 30 feet

Outfield warning track

at least 10 ft wide

Pitchers mound

8-foot radius, 16-foot diameter

Softball Base Distances

Distance from Softball Pitching Rubber to Home Plate

College: 43 feet
High school:
43 feet
Youth:
35 - 40 feet (League dependent)

To correctly measure, take the distance from the front edge of the 24-inch rubber straight to the plate’s rear point. A two-inch error can shave roughly 0.01 seconds off a batter’s reaction time, so field crews recheck this line often.

Size of a Softball Pitcher’s Circle

College: 8 ft radius, 16 ft diameter, 24 in x 6 in pitching rubber
High school:
8 ft radius, 16 ft diameter, 24 in x 6 in pitching rubber
Youth: 8 ft radius, 16 ft diameter, 24 in x 6 in pitching rubber

The pitching circle and pitching rubber are always the same size, regardless of the level of play. Lining the circle helps umpires enforce pitching rules and keeps field crews consistent when they re-mark the diamond after rain or heavy play.

Official Softball Field Distance Between Bases

The distance between bases in softball is 60 feet for high school and college fast-pitch fields. Measure each side of the square in this order:

Home → First

Back tip of home plate to the back white corner of first base

First → Second

Back white corner of first to the center of second base

Second → Third

Center of second to the back white corner of third

Third → Home

Back white corner of third to the back tip of home plate


Following this pattern keeps every softball base distance uniform and meets NFHS and NCAA rules. Youth leagues may shorten the 60-foot line, so coaches should confirm their local rule book before chalking the diamond.

Softball Field & Home Plate

Distance from Home Plate to Second Base on a Softball Field

College: 84 feet 10¼ inches
High school:
84 feet 10¼ inches
Youth: 84 feet 10¼ inches

This figure mirrors the distance from first to third because the four 60-foot baselines form a perfect square. Double-checking this diagonal is a quick way to confirm that your 60-foot softball bases distance and the rest of the core softball field dimensions are accurate before play begins.

Space from Home Plate and the Backstop on a Softball Field

College: 25-30 feet
High school:
25-30 feet
Youth: 25-30 feet

This range gives catchers enough room to track foul pop-ups without risking collisions. The backstop should be vertical and extend slightly over the field to stop high fouls. If it’s built from hard materials such as wood, concrete, or brick, add backstop padding to cut ricochet risk and protect players.

Softball backstop padding behind home plate
Backstop padding installed 25 feet behind home plate

Official Softball Fence Heights & Depths

Fence Height

Foul Lines

Straightaway Center

6 ft

190 ft

220 ft

4ft

210 ft

230 ft


According to the NCAA softball fence guidelines, no point on the fence may sit closer than 190 ft or farther than 235 ft. Programs often shape the arc so the power alleys land a few feet deeper than the foul lines, but the whole wall must stay inside the 190–235 ft window. Portable outfield walls make it easy to tweak depth for tournaments or to share the space with other sports.

How to Lay Out a New Softball Diamond

1. Position home plate

Without a backstop: Pick a spot and start.

With a backstop:

  • Tie a string to one corner post, swing it past where the pitching rubber will sit, and mark the arc.

  • Repeat from the other corner.

  • Draw a straight line through the point where

  • Mark a point 25 ft from the backstop on that line and set the back tip of home plate there.

2. Mark second base

  • Stretch a string from the midpoint of the backstop through home plate’s tip and over the infield.

  • Measure 84 ft 10 ¼ in—the diagonal in a 60-ft square—and mark the center of second base.

3. Mark first and third

  • From home, swing a 60 ft arc toward first.

  • From second, swing another 60 ft arc toward first; their intersection marks the back-right corner of first base.

  • Repeat on the third-base side for third.

  • This confirms the official softball base distance (also searched as distance between bases in softball and softball bases distance).

4. Set the pitching rubber

  • Stay on the home-to-second line.

  • Measure 43 ft from home’s tip; that point is the front edge of the rubber.

  • Check that both front corners are the same distance from the matching front corners of home plate.

  • The 43-ft mark matches college softball pitching distance and high school softball pitching distance queries.

5. Finish lines and extras

  • Chalk the 3 × 7 ft batter’s boxes 6 in from the plate, draw foul lines, and place foul poles.

  • Follow NCAA or NFHS specs for arc depth and any turf cuts.

Softball Field Maintenance Checklist

  • Infield covers — Shield skinned dirt and chalk lines from rain.

  • Backstop netting Block foul tips and line drives without obstructing spectator view.

  • Pitcher’s-area covers — Keep the mound and plate playable after a storm.

  • Portable fencing — Modular panels for quick outfield setup and removal.

  • Fence-top and rail padding Add player protection and a clean finish.

  • Outfield windscreens — Cut wind, display graphics, and limit visual distractions.

Need Softball Field Guidance?

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Softball Field Dimension FAQs

How do softball field dimensions differ from baseball field dimensions?

  • Pitch delivery: Softball pitchers throw underhand with a windmill motion from a flat rubber 43 ft from home plate (women’s fast-pitch). Baseball pitchers throw overhand or side-arm from a raised mound 60 ft 6 in away.
  • Ball size: A regulation softball measures 11–12 inches around and weighs about 6½–7 oz—larger and a bit heavier than the 9-inch, 5-oz baseball.
  • Field dimensions: Softball uses 60-ft baselines and fences roughly 190–235 ft from home. Baseball diamonds stretch 90 ft between bases, and outfield walls often sit 300–400 ft away. The shorter layout keeps play fast and rewards quick reactions, while the larger ball is easier to see and grip.

What is the distance from the softball pitching cover to home plate?

  • College: 43 Feet
  • High school: 433 Feet
  • Youth: 35-40 Feet (League dependent)

What are the dimensions of a softball batter's box?

  • Each batter’s box is a rectangle 3 feet wide by 7 feet long.
  • The outside edge of each box sits 6 inches from the plate.
  • The front line is placed 4 feet ahead of a line drawn through the center of the plate.

How big should the warning track be on a softball field?

  • The warning track must be at least 10 feet wide around the outfield fence.

Why is there a warning track on a softball field?

  • The warning track alerts outfielders when they are approaching the wall, allowing them to adjust their approach and avoid collisions.

What material is used to create the warning track on a softball field?

  • This coarse, well-draining mix is 3 inches deep and made of crushed stone, dirt, or specialized rubber.

How far apart are the bases on a softball field?

  • College: 60 feet
  • High school: 60 feet
  • Youth: 60 feet

How far is second base from home plate in softball?

  • College: 84 feet and 10 1/4 inches
  • High school: 84 feet and 10 1/4 inches
  • Youth: 60 feet

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