The bases in Major League Baseball are 90 feet apart, measured from the back point of home plate to first and around the diamond. The pitcher’s rubber is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate, and home to second base is 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches. Youth leagues shrink the field, with Little League using 60 foot bases and a 46 foot pitching distance.
Base Distances by Level
| Level | Bases | Pitching distance |
|---|---|---|
| MLB, college, high school | 90 feet | 60 feet, 6 inches |
| Little League Junior and Senior | 90 feet | 60 feet, 6 inches |
| Little League Intermediate (50/70) | 70 feet | 50 feet |
| Little League Majors (ages 12 and under) | 60 feet | 46 feet |
| College and high school fastpitch softball | 60 feet | 43 feet |
Why 90 Feet Works
Ninety feet has held since the 1800s because it balances offense and defense almost perfectly: a routine grounder to shortstop beats most runners by a step, while a slow roller or a bobble does not. The larger bases added in 2023 shortened that trip slightly and helped stolen bases climb. For how runners advance on fly balls, see the tag up rule.
Related
Tag up rule · How much does a baseball weigh · Why baseball has 9 innings
Measurements from the MLB official rules and Little League.