Softball Training Mats: Hitting, Pitching and What Each One Is Built For
Softball training mats are not interchangeable. A hitting mat and a pitching mat are built for completely different athletic demands. Here is the full breakdown of every option.
By the All Turf Mats product team · July 2026 · Made in Dalton, Georgia
When a softball program starts building out its training infrastructure, two distinct mat types come up immediately: one for the batting station and one for the pitching area. These are different products built for different purposes — buying the wrong one for either position leaves a gap in your training setup.
This guide covers both product lines completely — what distinguishes them, what specifications matter at different program levels, and which products fit which setups.
Softball Hitting Mats — The Batting Station Foundation
The Proball softball hitting mat is a 6x12 regulation surface designed for the batting station. It covers the full batter's box with tufted reference lines and a choice of inlaid or painted home plate. The same physical product is used for both baseball and softball batting stations — the difference is marketing presentation, not construction.
Key specifications for serious softball hitting mats:
- Material: Nylon for cleat resistance and multi-season durability
- Plate: Inlaid for high-volume daily programs, painted for recreational use
- Backing: 5mm foam for indoor and smooth-surface cage setups
- Colors: Green, Clay, Black (Nylon) — Clay only (Poly)
Softball Pitching Mats — The Pitching Station Foundation
The Elite Softball Pitching Mat is a 3x10 flat-surface practice mat built specifically for the pitching motion. The LXT Foam plus SureGrip construction addresses the two demands that hitting mats do not face: anti-fatigue cushioning for high pitch counts and maximum anti-slip performance under the explosive push-off and stride forces of fastpitch pitching.
Key specifications for serious softball pitching mats:
- Backing: SureGrip — the strongest anti-slip backing, stays planted on smooth gym floors under pitching force
- Cushioning: LXT Foam layer for anti-fatigue performance across long practice sessions
- Lines: Tufted power line built in during manufacturing — will not fade regardless of pitch count
- Pitching rubber: Glued-on rubber included with every mat
Key Construction Differences Between Hitting and Pitching Mats
| Feature | Hitting Mat (Proball) | Pitching Mat (Elite) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6×12 ft — regulation batting | 3×10 ft — pitching lane |
| Backing | 5mm foam or urethane | LXT Foam + SureGrip |
| Anti-slip priority | Foam grips smooth floors | SureGrip handles pitching force directions |
| Home plate | Inlaid or painted | No home plate |
| Pitching rubber | Not included | Included — glued on |
| Primary marking | Tufted batter's box lines | Tufted power line |
| Anti-fatigue | 5mm foam — light cushioning | LXT Foam — dedicated anti-fatigue layer |
Recommendations by Program Level
Which Products at Which Level
Building a Complete Softball Training Setup
A complete softball training environment needs both a hitting station and a pitching station equipped correctly. The hitting mat and pitching mat can be used on the same surface — indoors or outdoors — and do not need to be adjacent. Many programs set them up in separate areas of the same facility to allow simultaneous hitting and pitching practice without interference.
For full product details on each line, read the Softball Pitching Mat Buying Guide and the full Proball Softball Hitting Mats collection.
Related Resources
Complete Softball Training Mats — Made in Dalton, Georgia
Proball hitting mats and Elite pitching mats for every program level. PFAS-free and lead-free.