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| REFERENCE (FIELD SET-UP) |
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CLICK HERE for the .pdf version of this page.
These guidelines were developed from various sources. This information was composed to educate all players, managers/coaches, and non-playing persons. This may seem lengthy, but is important (if you want to understand properly). |
| REMINDERS: |
| 1. |
The game starts at the scheduled start time, so any delays may reduce your playing time. The primary goal should be to play as many completed innings as possible within the game start time. |
| 2. |
When you are scheduled as the designated home team, please show AT LEAST 45 MINUTES before your scheduled game start time, in order to set up the playing field properly; and to reduce or eliminate any time delays which may occur (affects your opponents, your team, and the umpire). This is the very first task to do when you arrive at your game location. |
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The umpire controls the time flow of the game, but all team managers/coaches can ensure this by utilizing these guidelines. |
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| SOME BASIC INFORMATION: |
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- Baselines are 65 feet apart for the co-ed slo-pitch game
- The pitcher's distance shall be a zone 24" wide and between 50 - 65 feet away from home plate
- Second and third bases shall each be double-spiked
- The first base double bag shall have a total of four base spikes (two for the white portion, and two for the red or orange portion)
- The pitcher's plate shall be 24 inches in width, and secured to the ground with spikes
- The runner's scoring plate must be used and secured to the ground by using spikes
- Home plate must be the deluxe model (the heavier plate with black rubber trim along its perimeter). This does not have to be secured to the ground, as this is a heavier plate used only by the catcher (or other defensive player) when a runner is to be called out at home.
- Keep items such as base spikes; hammer; rubber mallet; and tape measure in a secure container (tool box or small canvass bag), so these items don't get misplaced or lost
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| Safety Markers: |
- Must be orange, red, yellow, or lime in colour. They must not be over 12 inches in height. They visually assist the outfielders' and the umpire.
- A total of five markers are used: (one to mark the 20 foot runner's commitment line; one to mark the third base foul line in the outfield; one to mark the first base foul line in the outfield; one to mark the out-of-play line on the first base side of the outfield (placed exactly in line with the backstop fence line along the first base side); one to mark the out-of-play line on the third base side of the outfield (placed exactly in line with the backstop fence line along the third base side)
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| Anchoring the Pitcher's Plate and the Runner's Scoring Plate to the Ground: |
When you look underneath these plates, you will notice some metal inserts (used to fit the included anchors). These inserts were designed for the runner's scoring plate and the pitcher's plate (respectively) to remain on the field and anchored to the ground for an entire season. Along with many other user groups, we utilize various diamond locations on certain days and/or evenings; therefore, we cannot leave our equipment at a particular field location (we have to set-up and take down our field equipment before and after each game).
If you use these manufactured inserts, (while continually removing these two plates from a game location), the threaded inserts underneath the plates will either:
- Puncture a hole through the top face of the plate
- The threaded inserts will be jared loose, or out of alignment from the underside of the plate
In order for providing a safe (yet secure anchoring connection to the ground), perform the following modifications to the pitcher's plate and the runner's scoring plate (respectively): |
| 1. |
Turn over the plate, so the metal threaded inserts are facing upwards on your working surface. |
| 2. |
Drill holes (approximately 1/8" in diameter) through each metal insert (total of three per plate), and completely through the top surface of the plate. |
| 3. |
Purchase some 1/8" diameter metal spikes (available at HOME DEPOT) for approximately 12¢ each). |
| 4. |
Use these spikes to secure each plate to the ground, by using a rubber mallet. DO NOT USE a hammer, as this will cause damage to the plate. |
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| Set-Up of the Playing Field: |
A. Locating Home Plate (the heavier, deluxe model w/ the black rubber trim): |
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Place the plate down on the ground, then drive a smaller spike (through the metal end of the tape end) of the 100 foot long cloth tape and into the ground to establish the rear corner of home plate (corner number "3" on the diagram). This rear corner should be symmetrical (in the centre of) with the rear backstop behind the home plate area. This is very important to establish properly, as all of the other base and plate locations are dependent of this.
All distances and dimensions to every base and the entire field are established from this corner of home plate. |
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| B. Locating the Third Base Bag: |
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Measure off 65 feet down the third base line (from corner #3 of home plate to the upper left corner of the third base bag), using the measuring tape. The measuring tape shall be in line with the left side of home plate (corners numbered "3" to "2") to give proper line. If an existing white chalk line exists down the third base line, then use it to establish proper line.
While you are at the third base location, hammer the base pegs securely into the ground by using the metal hammer (NOT an old softball bat!). Always hammer on the peg (not the strap), and ensure the peg is hammered below the ground surface (for safety reasons, and that the base pegs remain secure into the ground for the entire game). If you have ever replaced base straps, you know how difficult that task can be. One peg is placed at the back edge of the third base bag (facing the outfield); and the other peg is placed at the front edge of the third base bag (facing home plate). |
C. Locating the Runner's Commitment Line:
Mark a 20 foot distance from home plate (along the third base line). A safety marker is placed at a 90° angle from this spot. Place the marker against the third base backstop fence (so the safety marker doesn't interfere with a base runner in the direction of the scoring plate, or with any other fielder. |
D. Locating the Runner's Scoring Plate:
Place the plate down on the ground and measure a distance between 6 - 7 feet from the corner of home plate (corner #1), to the scoring plate corner #5. The edge of the scoring plate (from corner #1 to 5) should be parallel to the home plate's edge (corner #3 to 4). Once the scoring plate has been positioned properly, insert the two 1/8" diameter spikes (the thinner ones) through the drilled holes. Secure by using a rubber mallet. |
E. Locating the First Base Double Bag: |
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Measure a 65 foot distance down the first base line (from corner #3 of home plate to the back edge of the first base bag - the edge facing towards the outfield, exactly in the middle of the bag where the white and red or orange portions meet), using the measuring tape.
The measuring tape shall be in line with the right side of home plate (corners numbered "3" to "4") to give proper line. If an existing white chalk line exists down the first base line, then use it to establish proper line.
While you are at the first base location, hammer the base pegs securely into the ground by using the metal hammer (NOT an old softball bat!). Always hammer on the peg (not the strap), and ensure the peg is hammered below the ground surface (for safety reasons, and that the base pegs remain secure into the ground for the entire game). If you have ever replaced base straps, you know how difficult that task can be. One peg is placed at the back edge of the first base bag (facing the outfield) for both the white and red portions; and the other peg is placed at the front edge of the first base bag (facing home plate) for both the white and red portions. |
F. Locating the Second Base Bag:
Measure a distance of 65 feet from the back edge of first base (located at the rear middle of the bag where the white and red portions meet), to the middle of second base. If you are looking at second base from home plate, the second base corners should be exactly symmetrical (equal distance) between first and third base.
Perform a distance check by holding zero (at the back tip of home plate - corner #3), and marking a distance on the measuring tape of 91 feet, 11 inches to the middle of second base.
When the placement of second base has been determined properly, hammer one peg at the side facing third base; and a peg at the side facing right field. |
G. Locating the Pitcher's Plate:
While finalizing the location of second base, keep proper tape line by holding zero at the home plate back tip (corner #3), and lining the tape with the two second base corners. The pitcher's plate is placed a distance of 50 feet from the back tip of home plate (corner #3) to the back edge (the one facing second base) of the pitcher's plate.
Once the pitcher's plate has been properly located, secure to the ground by placing (2) 1/8" diameter spikes into the pitcher's plate anchoring holes, and use a rubber mallet to hammer the spikes into the ground. |
H. Locating the Outfield Safety Markers:
A total of four markers are used:
- one to mark the third base foul line in the outfield (placed approximately 85 feet back of third base)
- one to mark the first base foul line in the outfield (placed approximately 85 feet back of first base)
- one to mark the out-of-play line on the first base side of the outfield (placed exactly in line with the backstop fence line along the first base side), and at 90° from the first base foul line marker
- one to mark the out-of-play line on the third base side of the outfield (placed exactly in line with the backstop fence line along the third base side), and at 90° from the third base foul line marker
The farther the distance of where the foul line markers are placed from first and third base respectively, the better line-of-sight it is for the umpire to determine if a ball is fair or foul (when a ball is hit into the outfield).
The umpire is supposed to do a final check of the field set-up prior to the pre-game meeting at home plate.
This information will become familiar to you, with proper practice and repetition. Please refer to these guidelines often. You may print these documents and bring with you to all your games, for handy reference. |
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