For boys and girls age 9 to 12, the Little League Baseball Division is a popular alternative to adult baseball. For younger players, or for players who wish to utilize a smaller field for other reasons, softball divisions allow similar game play on a smaller field. Softball rules are divided into age- and gender-related categories, and each utilizes an arrangement designed to create a specific distance between the pitcher and the batter.
The Difference Between Standard Baseball, Softball and Little League
The standard distance between the pitcher's mound and the batter is 60 feet, 6 inches. Fields are arranged to this specification for high school, college, professional and affiliated youth leagues. In Little League, and other non-affiliated youth leagues, a modified set of official baseball rules are applied. These rules are designed for players age 12 and under. Softball leagues, which generally appeal to non-professional players, also make use of a shorter distance between the pitcher's mound and the batter.
Little League Rules
Because Little League is meant for young, developing players, the size of the infield is reduced so that the distance between the pitcher and the batter is only 46 feet. Younger players utilize the smaller field size to develop their skills, gradually working their way up to a larger field. The smaller size also accommodates these players' smaller size, which may prevent them from throwing well or running quickly between bases on a larger field.
Softball Rules
The distance from the pitcher to the batter in softball varies, depending on the league, from 35 to 53 feet. One reason for the shorter distance is the larger surface area of a softball. A thrown softball encounters more air resistance than a regulation baseball, and requires a more forceful throw to travel the same distance, so a reduction in distance helps the pitcher reach the batter. Other factors, such as age and gender, also determine the pitcher's distance from the plate.
Differences Between Boys' and Girls' Softball by Age
In children's softball for players who are 10 or younger, the pitcher stands 40 feet from the batter in boys' games and 35 feet away for girls. This distance increases for 15 year old players, to 43 feet for girls and 46 feet for boys. Adult slow-pitch softball requires a distance of 53 feet to the batter. Although this distance often varies according to gender, the relative size of the infield remains the same for girls and boys, but may vary according to the players' age.
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