SASR Norms & Standards Vol 2 new.indd - Sport and Recreation ...

1.4.16 Softball
Softball is a team sport similar in nature to baseball. It is played between two teams on a large fi eld
called a diamond, comprising an earth infi eld and a grassed outfi eld. As in baseball, the bases are
arranged in a square which has baselines of 18.3 metre for all players. Pitching distances for women
and girls are 12.20 metres and 14 metres for men.
Starting at a point halfway between home plate and fi rst base is the 1-metre line is drawn parallel to
and 1 metre from the baseline. The batter’s on-deck circle is a 1500 mm diameter circle next to the end
of the player’s bench or dugout area closest to the home plate.
The batter’s box (one on each side of the home plate) measures 1 metre by 2.20 metre. The inside lines
of the batter’s box are 1200 mm from a line drawn through the centre of the home plate. The catcher’s
box is 2.75 metre wide and 3.0 metre long measured from the rear outside corners of the batter’s box.
The coach’s box is behind a 5 metre line drawn outside the diamond. This line is parallel to and 3.60
metre from the fi rst and third baselines, extended from the bases towards the home plate. (See Drawing)
Behind home plate is a backstop that must be between 7.62 and 9.14 metres away.
63
g
f
The batter’s box and catcher’s box
X X a
a b
A A
B
e
c
d
A = Batter’s Box
B = Catcher’s Box
a = 0.15m
b = 0.45m
c = 1.20m
d = 3.05m
e = 2.75m
f = 2.20m
Softball