How Far Is It From Home Plate To The Pitcher's Mound In Major League Baseball?

Baseball is dependent on precise measurements. The distance between each base is exactly 90 feet. Another precise measurement is the distance from the pitching rubber that sits atop the pitching mound to home plate. A pitcher's ability is determined by how well he throws the ball once he gets to the mound and not how well he throws from other spots.

Distance

In Major League Baseball, the distance from the pitching rubber -- situated on top of the pitching mound -- is 60 feet 6 inches from home plate. The measurement is made from the front edge of the pitching rubber to the back point of home plate. This distance is used for all levels of senior baseball, which includes, high school, college, professional baseball and international competition. Once players reach age 16, this standard distance is used on all baseball fields.

Height

The height of the baseball mound impacts how the pitcher throws the ball. The mound in Major League Baseball is 10 1/2 inches higher than home plate. The height of the mound was 15 inches, but after pitchers dominated hitters throughout much of the 1960s, the height of the mound was lowered to its current height.

Youth Leagues

Youth baseball leagues do not use the same distance as major league baseball. The pitching mound in Little League baseball is 46 feet from the front edge of the pitching rubber to the back edge of home plate. Little League baseball is for players ages 7 through 12. Pony League players -- between ages 13 and 15 -- place the mound 54 feet from home plate. The reasoning behind the distance is that youth league players will put undue stress on their arms if they are forced to throw from a major league distance.

Previous Distances

In the earliest days of professional baseball, the pitching mound was 45 feet from home plate. That measurement was recorded in 1858, and baseball continued to use that distance until 1881 when the mound was moved to 50 feet. In 1893, the distance was moved to the current 60 feet 6 inches. Legend has it that the distance was supposed to be 60 feet, but the groundskeeper misread the number and added an extra 6 inches.