How to Put in a Pitching Rubber

Pitching rubbers come in a number of styles, including: 4-way pitching rubbers, step down, tack down, and Hollywood style. The 4-way rubber is durable, easy to install, stable and economical as it can be rotated instead of replaced when worn. It is the recommended pitching rubber for all levels of baseball and softball play. For high school, college and professional baseball, the front of the pitching rubber must be 60 feet, 60 inches from home plate.



It is imperative that the pitching rubber be level and secure. If it moves with foot pressure, it will gradually wiggle loose.

Things You'll Need

  • pencil
  • bubble level
  • transit level
  • 100-foot tape measure
  • spike
  • hammer
  • concrete block
  • 4-way rubber
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark a line down the center of the 24-inch pitcher's rubber.

    • 2

      Measure 60 feet 6 inches from the apex of home plate and sink a spike. This marks placement for the front of the rubber. The pencil line you drew first should be directly in front of the spike.

    • 3

      Obtain a reading off home plate with a transit level. The top of the pitching rubber must be 10 inches above home plate. Add or reduce height of the mound as necessary to meet this mandatory measurement.

    • 4

      Square the rubber into position. Measure from the front left corner of home plate to the front left corner of the pitcher's rubber. Repeat for the right side. When these two measurements are the same distance, the rubber will be squared. Double-check that the rubber measures 12 inches on each side of the anchored spike.