Pitching and Pitchers Discussion 40 to 43

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My DD's U14 team is still searching for a third pitcher, and during the search, spoke with a Dad who was wondering how many tournaments we were playing at the 43 feet distance. (most, most ASA tourney's)
Said he was concerned about her pitching from this distance all summer, with High School ball being at 43.( His DD is an 8th grader). This got me thinking, because my DD is in the same boat.
My DD has pitched at 43 for middle school, local travel, NSA and winter ball. When I told her about pitching at 40, she had mixed feelings. Since she has decent velocity, this would benefit, but she also said her breaking pitches might be a problem.
I could swear this thread was posted before, but was wondering about everyone's thought on this.
1. Would this affect transition to HS?
2. Can you throw an effective breaking pitch from 40 feet with a typical U14 spin rate?

 

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We were in this situation last year. We played an ASA schedule with a few USSSA tourneys. DD had no problem adjusting. This year DD is freshmen and still playing 14u ASA exclusively this summer. Pitching coach said it will be a longer adjustment going back to 40 from 43. Harder to figure out movment pitches.

 

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Wizsoftball,

I agree with your pitching coach on the subject. They're obviously very qualified.

lewam3, don't try to over think this. Things are what they are and many do not like change but the kids will make the adjustments just as the game will. Eventually, everyone will be at like distances. To those parents that show you concern, try to assure them things will work out and not worry. Consider it a challenge. The 43' distance will be good for everyone just as the 35' is for young ladies playing 10u. It's simply going to take another season to catch the powers to be up and convince them the kids are capable.

 

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Look at it this way: Going from 43' back to 40' she has a perceived speed increase. She should use that to her advantage. If she has a good change-up, it should be far more effective, because the batter has less time to react.

She should get into the mindset of focusing on what she has to work with at the moment. If it's raining, keep the ball dry. If it's cold, keep your hands warm. Great pitchers learn to adapt to anything that's standing in the way of the success of her team. That's what adjusting is all about. If she's given everything on a silver platter with no adversity, she will never learn to adapt and adjust to adversity! Has she ever pitched in practice with her eyes closed? Has she ever practiced with a wet ball? Try that stuff sometime... she may surprise you. (By the way - that's no joke about pitching with eyes closed. Ask her pitching coach.)

When she starts 16u, if she's shooting for college ball, she will be playing college showcases anyway - which are all 43'. A few short years ago, ALL non-college ball was 40'. Kids pitched from 40' right up until they went to college.