FAQ
The Ultimate Guide to Softball Field Dimensions 2025
June 20, 2025
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.
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.
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?
Our sports experts are here to help! We can provide advice for designing or maintaining your softball field and point you in the best direction for field equipment.
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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