Wheelchair softball should be played on a flat, level surface, such as a gym floor, outdoor basketball court, or smooth parking lot.  The parameters of the field should be as follows:  foul lines 150 feet from home plate; home plate to center field between 180 and 220 feet; bases 50 feet apart; distance from home plate to second base 70 feet, 8.5 inches.  There should be two restraining lines behind which fielders must keep at least one wheel until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand to avoid a penalty.  The infield lines run from first to second and second to third bases, 12 feet in front of the parallel basepaths between first and second and second and third bases.  A semicircle should be created in straightaway center field 100 feet from home plate; the outfield restraining line runs from this semicircle to each foul line and meets them 100 feet from home plate.  The two-foot-long pitching strip should bisect the imaginary line between home plate and second base and be located 28 feet from home plate.  Bases should be painted white and be surrounded by circles or semicircles; second base should be surrounded by a circle with a diameter of four feet, while first and third bases should be surrounded in fair territory by semicircles with diameters of four feet.  First base should be extended by two square feet (24 inches by 24 inches) into foul territory to make it safer for runners to tag.

For a colorful version of the Wheelchair Softball playing field provided by United Spinal Association, please click here.

Equipment

In competitive wheelchair softball, all players are required to use manual wheelchairs that are equipped with foot platforms, which the player must utilize at all times.  Standard 16” softballs and regulation bats and gloves when appropriate should be used.  Players classified as quads may use a standard bat modified to improve their gripping abilities, pending umpire approval.