With respect to high school softball (NFHS), this is from their official press release last year that announced the pitching distance change:
"After at least 10 years of debate by committee members, the NFHS has extended the fast-pitch pitching distance to 43 feet. The change to Rule 1-1-2b was made after two member state associations experimented with 43 feet- Florida for four years and Oregon for one year. Coaches surveyed within these states were overwhelmingly supportive of the change.
Creating a better balance between the offense and the defense was the major rationale for the rule change. Experimentation results from both states indicated more batted balls were hit into play.
"Our main thrust is getting the defense more involved," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee. "When more balls are hit into play, the defense is more involved in the game, thus enhancing skill development."
The OHSAA will, of course, adpot this rule next season for all high school play. There still seems to be some question about whether or not middle school teams will be forced to use the same 43 foot distance.
The OHSAA website includes this cryptic note in the 2010-2011 Softball Regulations manual:
"For the 2011 season and subsequent seasons, the high school pitching distance shall be 43 feet. For middle school, the recommended distance is 40 feet."
Recommended? Does that mean it's mandatory or optional? If it's optional, who gets to decide? The coaches? What if one wants it and the other doesn't?
As confusing as that statement might be, personally I don't have to worry about it for at least six more months. By that time, I will have attended the mandatory state rules interpretation meeting and a half dozen umpire association meetings- plenty of opportunity to get this better defined and figure out exactly how this rule should be administered before stepping foot on a field next season.
In the meantime, such a vague directive is sure to leave some people scratching their heads.