Softball Field Rules

Softball is played on a field called a diamond that is divided into two parts--the infield and outfield--and contains four bases. Boundaries are set by fences and lines drawn on the field. The Amateur Softball Association Official Rules of Softball establish rules used by most softball leagues, but the organization hosting a softball game or league may vary the field dimensions based on age and type of game.

  1. General Base Path Dimensions

    • Bases should be constructed of canvas or another durable material.

      The four bases on a softball field are arranged in a diamond shape, and the paths between them should be set at 90 degrees from each connecting base path. Paths to first and third bases are drawn along the diagonal lines at the back of home plate, which is the fourth base. Those lines are extended to the fence in the outfield to serve as foul lines.

    Batter's Box Dimensions

    • The batter's box, where batters stand, is on either side of home plate.

      The batter's box, where batters stand to bat, is actually two boxes set 6 inches from either side of home plate. Each box is 3 feet wide by 7 feet deep. Batter's boxes for 16-inch softball, however, should measure 4 feet by 8 feet.

    Fast-Pitch Fields

    • Fast-pitch softball is played by children and adults.

      All base paths in fast-pitch softball are 60 feet. Pitching distances vary. Most boys' divisions, and all men's divisions, use 46-foot pitching distances. Exceptions include boys' 12-and-under divisions (40 feet) and 10-and-under divisions (35 feet). Women's divisions, as well as girls' 18-and-under and 16-and-under divisions, use 43-foot pitching distances. All other girls' fast-pitch divisions use 40-foot pitching distances except the girls' 10-and-under divisions, which uses a 35-foot distance. Distances to the home-run fence vary according to age and type of game, and should not be longer than 250 feet in any division.

    Slow-Pitch Fields

    • Slow-pitch softball is popular among adults and children.

      Most adult and youth slow-pitch division base paths are 65 feet. Exceptions include major leagues, where the distance is 80 feet, and boys' and girls' 10-and-under and 12-and-under divisions, where the distance is 60 feet. Most slow-pitch divisions use a 50-foot pitching distance, except major leagues (53 feet), boys' and girls' 12-and-under divisions (46 feet) and boys' and girls' 10-and-under divisions (40 feet). Maximum field distances for slow-pitch leagues range from 175 feet in girls' 10-and-under leagues to 325 feet in major leagues.

    Modified-Pitch Field

    • In modified-pitch softball--a combination of slow-pitch and fast-pitch--base paths are 60 feet. Pitching distances are 40 feet for women and 46 feet for men. Fences should be at least 200 feet for women and 265 feet for men.

    16-Inch Softball Fields

    • In 16-inch softball, where a larger ball is used, base paths are 55 feet for women and 60 feet for men. Pitching distances are 38 feet, and fences must be at least 200 feet for women and 250 feet for men.