Baseball · MLB / Rule 2–3

Field and equipment

MLB · 2025

Last checked: 14 October 2026
Source: MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025 · Source pages: 14–22

In short

The diamond, bases, mound, bats and protective equipment.

On this page

The diamond

The infield is a 90-foot square. The pitching rubber is 60 feet 6 inches from the rear point of home plate and 10 inches above it. Bases are 18 inches square. Foul lines belong to fair territory. Outfield distances vary; the rulebook gives minimum requirements and separate requirements for newer or remodelled parks.

Equipment

The bat is solid wood, no longer than 42 inches and no wider than 2.61 inches. Grip material may extend only 18 inches from its handle end; excess grip material requires removal of the bat, not automatic cancellation of a completed play. Batters need protective helmets, and catchers need the specified protective headgear. Gloves and uniforms also have regulated specifications.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025. Separate operational regulations and later amendments are not inferred. References use physical PDF pages. Explanations are condensed; the supplied edition and its stated competition conditions determine scope.
Sources & approach ↗