<P> In roughly the middle of the square , equidistant between first and third base , and a few feet closer to home plate than to second base , is a low artificial hill called the pitcher 's mound . This is where the pitcher stands when throwing the pitch . Atop the mound is a white rubber slab , called the pitcher 's plate or pitcher 's rubber . It measures 6 inches ( 15 cm ) front - to - back and 2 feet ( 61 cm ) across , the front of which is exactly 60 feet 6 inches ( 18.44 m ) from the rear point of home plate . This peculiar distance was set by the rule makers in 1893 , not due to a clerical or surveying error as popular myth has it , but intentionally ( further details in History section ) . </P>
<P> In roughly the middle of the square , equidistant between first and third base , and a few feet closer to home plate than to second base , is a low artificial hill called the pitcher 's mound . This is where the pitcher stands when throwing the pitch . Atop the mound is a white rubber slab , called the pitcher 's plate or pitcher 's rubber . It measures 6 inches ( 15 cm ) front - to - back and 2 feet ( 61 cm ) across , the front of which is exactly 60 feet 6 inches ( 18.44 m ) from the rear point of home plate . This peculiar distance was set by the rule makers in 1893 , not due to a clerical or surveying error as popular myth has it , but intentionally ( further details in History section ) . </P>
how far is the pitcher 's mound from home plate in major league baseball
how far is the pitcher 's mound from home plate in major league baseball
60 feet 6 inches
60 feet 6 inches