Field Dimensions by Age
Setting up a field, checking a tournament's format, or explaining to a parent why 13U feels so different? Pick a level and get the pitching distance, base paths, home-to-second throw, and fence depth — with a diagram you can hold up.
Every level at a glance
| Level | Pitching | Base paths | Home to second | Fence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little League & most rec, ages 7–12 ("46/60") | 46 ft | 60 ft | 84 ft 10 in | ~200 ft |
| Intermediate / PONY Bronco, ages 11–13 ("50/70") | 50 ft | 70 ft | 99 ft | ~225 ft |
| Juniors, Seniors, high school, college, MLB ("60/90") | 60 ft 6 in | 90 ft | 127 ft 3 in | 300–400+ ft |
| Youth softball | 35–43 ft (by age) | 60 ft | 84 ft 10 in | ~200 ft |
Home-to-second is geometry: base path × √2. It's the catcher's throw on a steal and the shortstop's cross-diamond feed — the number that quietly decides whether a steal is stoppable at each level.
Why the jumps matter for coaching
- 46/60 → 50/70: the friendliest transition in baseball, which is why Intermediate exists. Leads and pickoffs appear (runners may leave the base before the pitch crosses the plate in 50/70 play), and the catcher's throw to second grows from 85 to 99 feet.
- 50/70 → 60/90: the real cliff. The pitcher moves back 10½ feet, every infield throw gets 20+ feet longer, and players who survived on arm strength alone get exposed. Plan a full season of longer-throw progression before it.
- Fence distances are guidance, not law — local fields vary, and tournaments use temporary fences. The pitching and base distances are the rules that get enforced.
Frequently asked questions
What age moves to the big field?
Most players make the jump to 60/90 at 13–14. Little League's path: Majors (46/60) through age 12, Intermediate 50/70 for 11–13, then Juniors on the full field at 12–14. Travel ball typically plays 13U on either 54/80 or 60/90 depending on the organization, and 14U on the full field.
What is a 54/80 field?
A transition format some travel organizations use at 13U: 54-foot pitching, 80-foot bases — halfway between 50/70 and the full field. If your tournament schedule says 54/80, everything on this page's 50/70 and 60/90 rows brackets it.
How far is the pitching distance in youth softball?
It scales by age — commonly 35 feet at the youngest fastpitch levels, 40 feet around 12U, and 43 feet for 14U and up (43 ft is also the high school and college distance). Base paths stay at 60 feet through most of youth softball.
Where exactly does the pitching rubber measure from?
From the back point of home plate to the front edge of the pitcher's plate. Base paths are measured from the back point of home to the back corners of first and third, and between base backs along the foul lines.
Sources
Verified July 2026 against Little League field specifications and league published rules. Fence depths are typical ranges — your local field is its own truth.