HS Softball Strike Zone

•All definitions are from the NFHS Rule Book

•The “Slot” is the recommended position

•Every pitch has a verbal call

17”

8 ½”

12”

8 ½”

Black Edging is 1”

Plate Dimensions

The Plate is 17” wide

The back of the plate is where the foul line

connect

The black edging is NOT considered as

part of the plate

Softball Batters Box

3’

10’

8’ 5”

Catcher’s Box

10 feet x 8 feet 5 inches

Batter's Box

3 feet x 7 feet3’

4’

Top of knees

Arm Pits

STRIKE ZONE The strike zone is the space over home plate which is between the batter’s forward armpit and the top of the knees when the batter

assumes a natural batting stance.

Strike ZoneNFHS Rules

Rule 2Section 56

Article 4

Width of home plate is 17”.

27 inches wide

Any part of the ball passing through the strike zone in flight shall be constituted a strike.

The umpire shall determine the

batter’s strike zone according to the

batter’s usual stance when

swinging at a pitch.

Official Strike Zone

Diameter of the ball is approximately 4”.

There is 1” of black edging.

The effective width of the strike zone is 27”

From High School Clinic handout

Top of knees

About 1 ball above the belt

STRIKE ZONE The strike zone is the space over home plate which is between the batter’s forward armpit and the top of the knees when the batter

assumes a natural batting stance.

Actual Strike Zone NFHS Rules

Rule 2Section 56

Article 4

Width of home plate is 17”.

29 inches wide

Any part of the ball passing through the strike zone in flight shall be constituted a strike.

The umpire shall determine the

batter’s strike zone according to the

batter’s usual stance when

swinging at a pitch.

Diameter of the ball is approximately 4”.

The effective width of the strike zone is 29”

6” to batter box

6” from plate to batter’s box line

Actual Strike Zone

1 ball above the belt to just below the knees

Realistic Strike Zone

End