Definition & Meaning of "home plate"

What is a "home plate"?

Home plate in baseball or softball is the final base that a player must reach to score a run. It is a five-sided, flat plate located at the center of the field, where the batter stands to hit the ball. After a batter hits the ball and runs around the bases, they must touch home plate to complete the score. The catcher stands behind home plate to receive pitches from the pitcher and attempt to catch strikes or make plays on base runners. It is also the location where the umpire calls balls and strikes during the game.