Softball is a great way to spend the Sunday afternoon with your family and friends. If you’re new to the game, you’ll need to know the field measurements.
Considered by many to be the ‘twin sister’ of baseball, softball has been able to carve a niche for itself, not only in the USA, but all over the world. Softball is a game very similar to baseball but with a few changes here and there. A couple of obvious differences include that the softball is larger and softer than the baseball and pitching is done underhand, rather than overhand as is the case with baseball. The softball field size is a bit smaller than the baseball field. The softball diamond too is a bit smaller than the baseball diamond.
Field Description
The Pitch Map
The softball field is bound by lines on two sides of the home plate, known as the foul lines. The area beyond the foul lines is known as the foul zone. The playing area is divided into the infield and the outfield. The infield is made up of dirt and extends to 70 ft from the center of the pitcher’s mound. The area beyond the infield is known as the outfield and is made up of grass.
The Diamond
The diamond is a square area marked by running lines for the hitter. Once the hitter hits the softball, he runs anticlockwise around the diamond. The diamond, as the name tells you is a four sided figure, with each side 60 ft long.
The Pitching Mound
The pitching mound is a circular area at the center of the diamond. The pitching area has a radius if 8 ft. The pitcher is supposed to throw the softball from this mound. The pitching mound is supposed to be between 35 ft to 40 ft from the home plate in fast pitch softball, and between 35 ft to 53 ft for slow pitch softball.
The Foul Line
The foul lines form a 90 degree angle on the home base. The ball is not supposed to cross the foul lines.
The Infield and Outfield
The infield is the area made of sand. The area beyond the infield is known as the outfield. The edge of the outfield is 225 ft away from the home base in fast pitch softball, and 275 ft away from the home base in slow pitch softball.
The Home Plate
The home plate or the home base is where the hitter stands to hit the ball after it is pitched. The home plate is supposed to have an area of 38 square centimeters, and is fastened to the ground.
Coaches Area
The coaches area is beyond the first and third baselines. They are both rectangular shaped 15 feet by 3 feet areas, and are 5 ft beyond the baselines.
Softball is a very exciting game and is loved all over the world. So now that you know the softball field dimensions, you can lay out your own field and enjoy the game.
