Backstop

Written byNick Gilden Hours Last Updated on Categories Baseball

What is the backstop in baseball?

A backstop is the fence or barrier situated behind home plate. Its primary role is to halt errant pitches or foul balls from traveling further into the stands, thereby safeguarding fans and delineating the playing field boundary.

Origin

The term “backstop” is quite literal in its description. In the context of baseball, it “stops” balls from going “back” into the stands or beyond the playing area.

Used in a sentence: The catcher missed the wild pitch, but fortunately, the backstop prevented the ball from straying too far, allowing the catcher an opportunity to recover it.

Is the backstop always the same distance from home plate?

No, the proximity from home plate to the backstop can differ among ballparks. Nonetheless, for professional games, regulations ensure it’s within a particular range.

What is it made of?

In a majority of contemporary ballparks, the backstop consists of a mix of netting and chain-link or another style of fencing. The lower part might also be cushioned to shield players if they happen to crash into it.

Does it affect gameplay?

Indeed, it can. At stadiums where the backstop is nearer to home plate, catchers might find it simpler to chase after foul balls that go straight back. On the other hand, in venues with a more significant gap, runners might feel more emboldened to move forward on wild pitches, aware that the catcher has a more considerable distance to cover to fetch a ball that strikes the backstop.

I'm Nick, a professional researcher & writer by day and a die-hard baseball fan by night. I have a deep love and knowledge of the game and love sharing it with others. I've been involved in baseball in one way or another for as long as I can remember - playing the game on an amateur level since I was a kid, writing about the game for my college newspaper, and now working with some of the biggest names in baseball media.