I've been to different ballparks over the summer, and have noticed a vast difference in the distance the backstop is from home plate.

Note: We live in small rural towns and play in a league
of a diffetent town about 12 miles away. We play home & home schedules.

The backstop at our home field on the 12-under field is about 14-16 ft. from home plate.

The backstop of the leagues home field is appx. 6 ft.

Now this doesn't seem like a big difference, but when you actually watch the games, it makes a huge difference.

When the catcher misses the ball on our field, it makes it easier for the runners to advance. especially from 3rd to home. This is because the ball go further behind the PU and the catcher.

When the catcher misses the ball on the other field, there is no chance of the runner ever making it home.

My question is:

Is there a requirement on the distance, or is it like the outfield fence and can be put as far back as you want so long as it meets a minimum distance?

ASA

Minimum - 25 feet
Maximum - 30 feet

But it is rare in most parks for backstops to be that far away.

And, of course, this only applies to ASA Championship Play. Your local fields may (and do) vary. And even ASA Championship Play tournaments around here are played on fields that rarely are built with "book" dimensions for distance to the backstop.