Baseball Training Mat: Hitting Mats, Stance Mats and On-Deck Circles Explained
Most players buy a hitting mat and stop there. A complete baseball training station uses three distinct mat types working together. Here is what each one does and how they combine into a professional setup.
By the All Turf Mats product team · July 2026 · Made in Dalton, Georgia
When most people search for a baseball training mat they are thinking about one product — the mat the batter stands on. A complete baseball training station actually uses three distinct mat types, each serving a different function. Understanding all three lets you build a setup that looks and performs like a professional facility regardless of your budget or space.
The Hitting Mat — The Foundation of Every Station
The hitting mat is the primary batting surface — the 6x12 regulation mat with home plate built in and tufted batter's box reference lines. This is the mat the hitter stands on during live batting practice. It is sized to regulation batter's box dimensions and provides the consistent, cleat-resistant Nylon surface that holds up through daily high-repetition use.
The hitting mat choice drives every other mat choice in the station. The size, color, and backing of the hitting mat set the standard that the stance mat and on-deck circle should match for a cohesive setup. See the full hitting mat comparison at Proball Baseball Hitting Mat Buying Guide.
The Stance Mat — Extending the Station Behind the Plate
A stance mat sits behind the hitting mat to extend the turf surface coverage of the batting station. It gives the catcher a clean turf surface to work from, fills the gap between the hitting mat edge and the cage backstop or wall, and creates a finished, professional-looking station rather than one mat sitting on bare concrete or dirt.
Stance mats are available in three sizes — 3x5, 3x7, and 4x6 — to match different station layouts and space requirements. They use the same 3/8 inch Nylon turf and 5mm foam backing as the Proball hitting mat, so the entire station surface is consistent in feel and appearance.
| Stance Mat Size | Best For | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 3×5 | Standard catcher coverage behind most hitting mats | 11 lbs |
| 3×7 | Extended coverage for taller catchers or wider station footprints | 18 lbs |
| 4×6 | Widest coverage — accommodates both left and right-handed batters without repositioning | 20 lbs |
The On-Deck Circle — Warm-Up Surface for the Next Batter
An on-deck circle is a circular turf mat — typically 4 or 5 feet in diameter — positioned near the batting station for the next batter to warm up on. It provides a consistent turf surface for swings, stretches, and pre-at-bat routines rather than concrete or bare ground.
All Turf Mats on-deck circles are available with 5mm foam backing or SureGrip backing. The SureGrip versions are the strongest anti-slip option — recommended for smooth gym floors where active warm-up footwork could cause a foam-backed circle to shift.
How the Three Mats Work Together
Hitting mat in the batter's box position. Stance mat directly behind it covering the catcher area. On-deck circle positioned 8 to 10 feet to the side of the station for the next batter. This three-mat layout creates a complete, professional batting station with consistent turf from the plate to the backstop and a designated warm-up area for the on-deck hitter.
Setup Configurations by Environment
Which Mats for Which Setup
Related Resources
Complete Baseball Training Mat Setup — Made in Dalton, Georgia
Hitting mats, stance mats, and on-deck circles for complete batting stations. PFAS-free and lead-free.