Rule 2 ~ The Playing Field

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Rule 2. The Playing Field.
(Refer to Drawings Showing Official Dimensions of the Softball Diamond)

Sec. 1. THE PLAYING FIELD IS THE AREA WITHIN WHICH THE BALL MAY BE LEGALLY PLAYED AND FIELDED.

NOTE: A ball is considered "outside the playing field" when it touches the ground, a person on the ground, or any object outside the playing area.

The playing field shall have a clear and unobstructed area within the minimum radius of 60.6 m (200 ft.) for female fast pitch and 68.2 m (225 ft.) for male fast pitch from home plate between the foul lines. Outside the foul lines and between home plate and the backstop there shall be an unobstructed area of not less than 8.0 m (25 ft.) nor more than 9.0 m (30 ft.) in width.

NOTE: If using a baseball field, the mound should be removed and the backstop set at the prescribed distance from home plate.

A WARNING TRACK, if used, shall be an area within the playing field and adjacent to any permanent fence along the outfield boundary. The warning track shall be a minimum of 3.6 m. (12 ft.) to a maximum of 4.6 m. (15 ft.). The warning track shall be made of material (dirt, gravel) that is level with, but different from, the playing surface. The warning track material must distinguish it from the outfield surface and signals players when they are approaching the fence.

Sec. 2. GROUND OR SPECIAL RULES ESTABLISHING THE LIMITS OF THE PLAYING FIELD MAY BE AGREED UPON BY LEAGUES OR OPPOSING TEAMS WHENEVER BACKSTOPS, FENCES, STANDS, VEHICLES, SPECTATORS OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS ARE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED AREA. Any obstruction on fair ground which is less than 60.6 m (200 ft) for female fast pitch and 68.2 m (225 ft.) for male fast pitch from home plate should be clearly marked for the umpire's information.

Sec. 3. THE OFFICIAL DIAMOND. Shall have 18.29 m (60 ft.) baselines and pitching distances as follows:

CATEGORY	PITCHING DISTANCE
Male	14.0 m (46 ft.)
Minor Female	12.2 m (40 ft.)
Junior & Senior Female	13.11 m (43 ft.)
Orthodox Male	12.8 m (42 ft.)
Orthodox Female	12.2 m (40 ft.)

NOTE: If during the course of the game, the base distance or the pitching distance is found to be at the wrong distance, correct the error at the start of the next full inning and continue playing the game.

NOTE: Pitching distances are measured from the back of home plate to the front of the pitcher's plate.

Sec. 4. FOR THE LAYOUT OF THE DIAMOND, REFER TO DRAWING SHOWING OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS FOR SOFTBALL DIAMONDS. THIS SECTION IS AN EXAMPLE FOR LAYING OUT A DIAMOND WITH 18.29 m (60 ft.) BASE AND A 14.0 m (46 ft.) PITCHING DISTANCE. To determine the position of home plate, draw a line in the direction it is desired to lay the diamond. Drive a stake at the corner of home plate nearest the catcher. Fasten a cord to this stake and tie knots or otherwise mark the cord at 14.0 m (46 ft.), 18.3 m (60 ft.), 25.86 m (84 ft. 10 1/4 in.), and at 36.58 m (120 ft.).

Place the cord (without stretching) along the direction line and place a stake at the 14.0 m (46 ft.) marker - this will be the front line at the middle of the pitcher's plate. Along this same line, drive a stake at the 25.86 m (84 ft. 10 1/4 in.) marker - this will be the center of second base.

Place the 36.58 m (120 ft.) marker at the center of second base and, taking hold of the cord at the 18.29 m (60 ft.) marker, walk to the right of the direction line until the cord is taut and drive a stake at the 18.29 m (60 ft.) marker - this will be the outside corner of first base and the cord will now form the lines to first and second bases. Again, holding the cord at the 18.29 m (60 ft.) marker, walk across the field and in like manner, mark the outside corner of third base. Home plate, first and third bases are wholly inside the diamond.

To check the diamond, place the home plate end of the cord at the first base stake and the 36.58 m (120 ft.) marker at third base. The 18.29 m (60 ft.) marker should now check at home plate and second base.

Check all distances with a steel tape whenever possible.

THE THREE-FOOT (1.0 m) LINE is drawn parallel to and 1.0 m (3 ft.) from the base line starting at a point halfway between home plate and first base.

THE BATTER'S ON DECK CIRCLE is a 1.5 m (5 ft.) circle (0.8 m [2 1/2 ft.] radius) placed adjacent to the end of the players' bench or dugout area closer to home plate.

THE BATTER'S BOX, one on each side of home plate, shall measure 1.0 m (3 ft.) by 2.2 m (7 ft.). The inside lines of the batter's box shall be 15.0 cm (6 in.) from home plate. The front line of the box shall be 1.2 m (4 ft.) in front of a line drawn through the center of home plate. The lines are considered inside the batter's box.

THE CATCHER'S BOX shall be 3.0 m (10 ft.) in length from the rear outside corners of the batter's boxes and shall be 2.55 m (8 ft. 5 in.) wide.

THE COACH'S BOX IS BEHIND A LINE 4.57 m (15 ft.) LONG DRAWN OUTSIDE THE DIAMOND. The line is parallel to and 3.6 m (12 ft.) from the first and third baseline extended from the base toward home plate.

THE PITCHER'S PLATE shall have a 5 m (16 ft.) circle drawn from the pitcher's plate, 2.5 m (8 ft.) in radius. The lines drawn around the pitcher's plate are considered inside the circle.

THE HOME PLATE SHALL BE MADE OF RUBBER. It shall be a 5 sided figure 43.18 cm (17 in.) wide across the edge facing the pitcher. The sides shall be parallel to the inside lines of the batter's boxes and shall be 21.59 cm (8 1/2 in.) long. The sides of the point facing the catcher shall be 30.48 cm (12 in.) long.

THE PITCHER'S PLATE shall be made of wood or rubber, 0.61 m (24 in.) long and 15.24 cm (6 in.) wide. The top of the plate shall be level with the ground. The front line of the plate shall be the following distance from the back or point of home plate: Minor Female Fast Pitch (12.2 m - 40 ft.); Junior and Senior Female Fast Pitch (13.11 m - 43 ft.); Male Fast Pitch (14 m - 46 ft.); Female Orthodox Fast Pitch (Modified) (12.2 m - 40ft.); Male Orthodox Fast Pitch (Modified) (12.8 m - 42 ft.).

THE BASES, OTHER THAN HOME PLATE, SHALL BE 38.1 cm (15 in.) SQUARE AND SHALL BE MADE OF CANVAS OR OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL AND NOT MORE THAN 12.7 cm (5 in.) IN THICKNESS. The bases should be securely fastened in position.

The double base is optional for use at first base. This base shall be 38.1 cm by 76.2 cm (15 in. x 30 in.) and shall be made of canvas or other suitable material and not more than 12.7 cm (5 in.) in thickness. Half the rectangle base is white and should be securely fastened in position over fair territory and half is orange and should be securely fastened in position in foul territory.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY TO THE DOUBLE BASE:

A batted ball hitting the white portion is declared fair and a batted ball hitting only the orange portion is declared foul.

If a pitched ball is hit or the batter runs on a dropped third strike and the batter-runner fails to use the orange portion of the base on this first attempt at 1st base, and if a play is made, the batter-runner is out.

A defensive player must touch any part of the white portion of the base.

After over running the base, the batter-runner must return to the white portion.

Should the batter-runner round the base on a hit through the infield or to the outfield, he must return to the white portion.

When tagging up on a fly ball, the white portion must be used.

On an attempted pick-off play, the runner must return to the white portion.

Once a runner returns to the fair portion, should he stand on the foul portion only, it is considered not in contact with the base and the runner shall be called out, if:

i)	he is tagged with the ball, or
ii)	he leads off from the foul portion on a pitched ball

NOTE: The lines that define an area are part of that area.