Pitcher.27s mound Baseball field

the pitcher moves forward off rubber pitch released.

in middle of square, equidistant between first , third base, , few feet closer home plate second base, low artificial hill called pitcher s mound. pitcher stands when throwing pitch. atop mound white rubber slab, called pitcher s plate or pitcher s rubber. measures 6 inches (15 cm) front-to-back , 2 feet (61 cm) across, front of 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) rear point of home plate. peculiar distance set rule makers in 1893, not due clerical or surveying error popular myth has it, intentionally (further details in history section).

in major league baseball, regulation mound 18 feet (5.5 m) in diameter, center 59 feet (18 m) rear point of home plate, on line between home plate , second base. front edge of pitcher s plate or rubber 18 inches (46 cm) behind center of mound, making front edge s midpoint 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) rear point of home plate. 6 inches (15.2 cm) in front of pitcher s rubber mound begins slope downward. top of rubber no higher ten inches (25.4 cm) above home plate. 1903 through 1968, height limit set @ 15 inches (38.1 cm), higher, high 20 inches (51 cm), teams emphasized pitching, such los angeles dodgers, reputed have highest mound in majors.

a pitcher push off rubber foot in order gain velocity toward home plate when pitching. in addition, higher mound favors pitcher. height advantage, pitcher gains more leverage , can put more downward velocity on ball, making more difficult batter strike ball squarely bat. lowering of mound in 1969 intended increase batting once again, pitching had become increasingly dominant, reaching peak prior year; 1968 known among baseball historians year of pitcher . restrictive rule apparently did job, contributing hitting surge of modern baseball.

a pitcher s mound difficult groundskeepers maintain. before every game watered down keep dust spreading. on youth , amateur baseball fields, mound may different rule book definition due erosion , repair attempts. in major leagues, each mound gains own character, pitchers allowed kick away pieces of dirt in way, thereby sculpting mound bit preference.

the pitcher may keep rosin bag on rear of mound dry off hands. major league baseball teams permitted cleat cleaners on of mound. may flat grate-style plate, or hand tool such piece of wood used remove mud , dirt cleats. these items allowed remain on backside of mound @ discretion of umpire, reducing probability affect live play.