Baseball fields are normally standardized so that young players can prepare for future athletes. However, there is a difference between college and high school baseball fields. Baseball fields in high school are designed to provide a more challenging game.
Contents
Difference Between College and High School Baseball Fields
High school baseball fields are not the same as college baseball fields because of the different skill sets across high school and college ball teams. High school baseball fields require extra pitching mounds (known as rubber), fewer fouls, and shallower outfields to accommodate younger, weaker players.
Outfield Distance
The wall distance of collegiate outfields is around 325 feet from the plate. The average high school outfield wall is a bit closer to 300 feet from the plate.
Foul Lines
The foul lines are also different between high school baseball fields and college fields in regards to their positioning. High school foul lines will be shorter than college ones, as high school baseball is meant to be played with younger players. High school teams usually have multiple coaches that have more control over the game, allowing for adjustments inline positioning and pitching distances.
Outfield Fence
In high school, outfield fences are deeper than collegiate fields. Due to the difference in skill sets between high school and college players, collegiate fields require a higher fence to make it harder for amateur players to hit balls over the fence. High school players are not as skilled as collegiate players. The shallower outfield makes it easier for high school players to catch fly balls.
Pitching Distance
An added mound will be placed behind the plate on high school baseball fields to create a 4-mound infield diamond. This creates a shallower infield for younger players to play baseball. College baseball fields usually only have 2-3 mounds, which makes it harder for amateurs to hit the ball.
Related:
Similar Features Between College and High School Baseball Fields
Above is the difference between those two baseball fields, here are some similarities that are worth mentioning:
Bases
The bases will be the same on both fields. Double plays are just as likely to occur in a high school game as they are in a college game. The two bases will be just as close, thus requiring equal agility on the players’ part.
Equipment
The bats and balls used by high school and collegiate players are similar in both size and weight. Although they are a little lighter and smaller for younger athletes, both types of baseball play similarly between the two levels of competition.
Infield Distances
The ball fields on high school and college baseball fields are similar. College ball fields have more foul territory near the infield than does a high school baseball field. Also, there will be more distance in between the bases on high school fields than on college ones. The infields of both levels of competition are about the same distance from home plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 What Is a 60 90 Baseball Field?
60 90 baseball fields are unique and can be found in the suburbs. The field design allows for a larger playing area. There are no foul lines so the barrier is not as noticeable.
The corner outfield fence is usually 120 feet down the right-field line and about 170 feet down the left-field line. The distance to center field is roughly 230 feet, with parking in the outfield, and a spectator’s overflow area at 235 feet.
The field is designed to allow younger players more room to stretch out their arms. 60 90 baseball fields are not recommended for games with hard-hit balls.
#2 What Is a Fan Field?
A fan field is usually laid out right behind the center field where there is a lot of space. At the edge of the outfield, there will be bleacher seating and an intertwining fence so that fans cannot run into the field or interfere with the game.
#3 How Big Is a 12U Baseball Field?
A 12U baseball field is a regulation-size field that is 90-foot diamond size. The game field dimensions are 50 feet wide and 325 feet long. The pitching distance is 50 feet from home plate.
Final Words
Collegiate baseball fields are similar to high school ones. However, there are some features that set collegiate fields apart from high school fields because they require older athletes who have stronger skill sets.
