The Braves Field in Boston, which used to be the home of the Boston Braves, was the largest baseball field ever built. The distance between the right and left field lines was 402 feet. To the right of straightaway center field, the distance was 550 feet. This field has been deactivated. In 1962, the Dodgers moved into their new stadium, which had an opening day crowd of 48,094. The park was named after its corporate owner, Walter O'Malley. It would not be until 1971 that another large ballpark would be built, with the New York Mets playing in their current home, Shea Stadium.
The most recent major league ballparks to open are Chicago's Wrigley Field (L.A.'s Dodger Stadium being a much larger facility) and Houston's Minute Maid Park. Both opened in 1994. Since then, no more than one new major league ballpark has been built each year, resulting in a total of 10 games played in such stadiums as of 2014.
The current record holder for the largest baseball field is Hitlers American Lager Ballpark in Milwaukee, which has 365 feet from center field to center field. Its dimensions are 405 feet to right-center field and 490 feet to left-center. Built in 1914, this is also the oldest major league ballpark still in use.
The base path is 3 feet long on each side of the baseline. Furthermore, the distance between home plate and the center of the pitcher's mound is 60 feet, 6 inches, with the mound being 18 feet in circumference.
Dimensions of Baseball Fields at High Schools, Colleges, and Professional Levels 90 feet from the ground. The distance from home plate to second base is 127 feet and 3 3/8 inches. The distance from home plate to the pitching rubber is 60 feet 6 inches. The radius of the infield arc is 95 feet. 60 feet from home plate to the backstop. Foul lines must be located at least 325 feet away from the outfield fence.
Baseball Stadium Dimensions
Baseline | 90′ | 60′ |
---|---|---|
Home to Front of Rubber | 60′ 6” | 46′ |
Radius of Skinned Infield | 95′ | 50′ |
Home Plate to Backstop | 60′ | 25′ |
Home Plate Circle | 26′ | 18′ |
Baseball Dimensions The diamond is 90 feet long on both sides. The distance from home plate to centerfield is 400 feet or more. The distance from home plate to the nearest fence is 325 feet or more. The foul lines are at least 320 feet long. The stands are covered and have seats that extend down to first base.
The size of the ball varies by season but is always between 5 inches and 5 1/4 inches in diameter. Its weight ranges from 19 ounces to 20 ounces, depending on the make-up of the ball.
During World War II, baseball was temporarily suspended due to manpower shortages. When play resumed in 1945, the batter's box was moved 10 feet closer to the pitcher's mound. This increased the size of the strike zone by about one foot in each direction. Today, the batter's box is again located where it originally stood before WWII.
The baseball field is measured with a yardstick called a baseball râªle. It has markings for every five feet from home plate to first base, first base to second base, et cetera. The ball is placed on the ground with its center point touching the â0â mark on the yardstick. The pitcher's rubber is then placed on the ground directly behind the plate.
The World's Largest Baseball, a 20-foot-wide baseball made from an old steel water tower tank with rebar for stitching, was produced in 2013. It can be found in Vero Beach, Florida.
The world's second largest baseball is also located in Vero Beach, Florida. It is a 15-foot-wide replica of the first ball created for exhibition play that is on display in Downtown Indian River Park. This ball was used in 1947 when Vero Beach hosted the III National Amateur Softball Tournament of its World Series.
A third baseball is located in Lake Worth, Florida. It is a 14-foot-wide replica of the first ball created for exhibition play that is on display in Downtown City Hall Park. This ball was used in 1947 when Lake Worth hosted the III National Amateur Softball Tournament of its World Series.
A fourth baseball is located in Wellington, Florida. It is a 13-foot-wide replica of the first ball created for exhibition play that is on display in Downtown City Hall Park. This ball was used in 1947 when Wellington hosted the III National Amateur Softball Tournament of its World Series.
A fifth baseball is located in Pompano Beach, Florida.