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MLB History: Pitching Rubber Moved to Current Distance

By David Hill

Mar 31, 2015; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tommy Milone (33) brushes off the rubber on the pitcher's mound before the start of the second inning of the spring training game against the New York Yankees at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2015; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tommy Milone (33) brushes off the rubber on the pitcher's mound before the start of the second inning of the spring training game against the New York Yankees at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are certain distances that are universal when it comes to baseball. We know the distance between the bases is 90 feet, and the pitching rubber is 60’6″ from home. That latter distance was one of the two rules instituted on this day in 1893.

Prior to 1892, the pitcher’s box, as it was called then, was 50 feet from home plate. Pitchers would fire the ball from there, giving the opposition scant chance to react to the ball. Although it was at the same height as the rest of the diamond, that distance was still uncomfortably close.

Something needed to change with that distance. On this day in 1893, the National League, which was essentially the MLB at the time, eliminated the pitcher’s box. Instead, they opted to place a chunk of rubber on the field 60’6″ from home plate, establishing the modern pitching distance.

That distance itself was a mistake. The rubber was initially to be exactly 60′ away, or five feet behind the back line from the pitcher’s box. Instead, the zero was accidentally read as a six, leading to the strange distance it is today. That change also put Bumpus Jones in the books as the last pitcher to throw a no hitter from the old distance.

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In addition to the change for the pitching rubber, the National League added another rule regarding bats. Previously, half the bat could be flattened, similar to a cricket bat, in order to make bunting easier. Of course, if the bat got turned around and the flat side hit the ball on a swing, then so be it.

Flattening the bat was also banned at the same time. In fact, since 1895, the rules regarding the bat have been fairly similar to what we currently have. While there have been changes, such as a difference in the weight of the bat and restrictions upon the diameter of the barrel, everything else has remained the same.

One of the greatest things that baseball has is its history. For the most part, the game that we enjoy today is close to the same game played over 100 years ago. There may be subtle changes, such as the banning of the spitter, but the rules are fairly similar. This also helps us debate which players from those olden days would remain great in modern times, knowing the rules are almost the same.

Next: Yanks open to trading Refsnyder

A huge step towards the modern game took place on this day in 1893, when the pitching rubber was placed at its current distance. Who knew that 60’6″ would become an iconic distance in the MLB?

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