Softball Pitching Distance by Age
The mound moves twice in a softball career: 35 feet at 10U, 40 feet at 12U, and 43 feet from 14U through high school, college, and pro ball. Here's the full chart — and why each move matters.
| Level | Pitching distance | Ball size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8U | 30–35 ft | 11-inch | Varies by league; many 8U programs are coach-pitch or modified distance. |
| 10U | 35 ft | 11-inch | First full kid-pitch level in most organizations. |
| 12U | 40 ft | 12-inch | The mound moves back 5 feet — a big adjustment year for pitchers. |
| 14U | 43 ft | 12-inch | Final move. Same distance as high school, college, and pro. |
| 16U / 18U | 43 ft | 12-inch | Standard distance for all older travel ball. |
| High school | 43 ft | 12-inch | NFHS moved from 40 to 43 feet in 2011 to boost offense and safety. |
| College (NCAA/NAIA/JUCO) | 43 ft | 12-inch | 43 feet across every collegiate division. |
| Pro / international | 43 ft | 12-inch | WPF and international federation play use 43 feet. |
Varies by league; many 8U programs are coach-pitch or modified distance. (11-inch ball)
First full kid-pitch level in most organizations. (11-inch ball)
The mound moves back 5 feet — a big adjustment year for pitchers. (12-inch ball)
Final move. Same distance as high school, college, and pro. (12-inch ball)
Standard distance for all older travel ball. (12-inch ball)
NFHS moved from 40 to 43 feet in 2011 to boost offense and safety. (12-inch ball)
43 feet across every collegiate division. (12-inch ball)
WPF and international federation play use 43 feet. (12-inch ball)
Distances are measured from the back point of home plate to the front edge of the pitcher's plate. USSSA, USA Softball, PGF, Alliance, and NFHS all use these standards; a few local rec leagues modify 8U-10U distances.
Why the Mound Moves
Each distance change re-balances the pitcher-hitter duel as arms get stronger. The move from 40 to 43 feet at 14U is the one that reshapes careers: pitchers who dominated 12U on pure speed suddenly need movement and location, because hitters gain three feet of reaction time. It's also the age where college-recruitable velocity starts to separate from the pack.
Distance is also why comparing softball and baseball radar numbers is meaningless without conversion. A 60 mph pitch from 43 feet reaches the plate in the same time as an 84 mph baseball fastball from 60'6". Try it yourself with the softball ↔ baseball pitch speed calculator.
What Should She Be Throwing From 43 Feet?
See average, good, and elite velocity at every age — and the speeds each NCAA division actually recruits.
Related Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the pitching mound in softball?
It depends on age. 10U pitches from 35 feet, 12U from 40 feet, and everyone from 14U up — including high school, college, and pro — pitches from 43 feet. Some 8U leagues use 30-35 feet or coach pitch.
When did high school softball move to 43 feet?
The NFHS moved the high school pitching distance from 40 to 43 feet starting with the 2010-11 season, following the NCAA, to increase offense and give hitters more reaction time.
Is the softball pitching distance the same in college?
Yes — 43 feet in NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO softball, the same distance used from 14U travel ball onward.
Why does softball pitch from so much closer than baseball?
The underhand windmill motion generates less raw velocity than overhand throwing, so the shorter distance keeps the pitcher-hitter duel balanced. In reaction-time terms it more than balances: a 65 mph softball pitch from 43 feet is comparable to facing a 91 mph baseball fastball from 60 feet 6 inches.
How is softball pitching distance measured?
From the back point of home plate to the front edge of the pitcher's plate (the rubber). The pitcher's circle is 16 feet in diameter, centered on the rubber.