How big does a baseball field have to be?

Answer 1

The dimensions of a Baseball field are laid out in the Official Baseball Rules. The key elements are:

• Bases 90 feet apart
• Pitcher's mound 60' 6" from Home Plate

Outfield dimensions are "preferably" 325 feet or more along the foul lines from Home Plate and 400 feet or more from Home Plate to the center field wall. Like hockey rinks, there are subtle variations between fields and some of these distances, as well as the actual configuration of the outfield wall, vary.

Another 60 feet from Home Plate to the wall or fence behind it, and at least 60 feet between bases and foul territory is required for a professional layout.

While the infields are a standard size, these outfield and foul territory dimensions give adequate room to play a game that is a combination of speed and skill. The dimensions have been very close to these since the 19th century.

The field is smaller than cricket grounds and the foul lines and home plate form a "wedge" that is surrounded by fans, (unlike cricket, where most of the action takes place in the center of the pitch at the farthest point from the fans).