ASA rule changes

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Have not seen many if any problems due to metal cleats besides a occasional cut. And lord knows I have seen a lot of games.

I can't really blame the cleats exclusively, but watching three knee surgeries has made me really nervous about them. Torn ACL cutting back to the base on a catcher pick off attempt. Torn meniscus on the landing leg after a pitch 18 months later (third surgery was to repair the meniscus tear that they didn't see in the second surgery two months before).

My fears may be completely unfounded. Hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a knee injury. But the thought of more traction just gives me the shivers.

 

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I can't really blame the cleats exclusively, but watching three knee surgeries has made me really nervous about them. Torn ACL cutting back to the base on a catcher pick off attempt. Torn meniscus on the landing leg after a pitch 18 months later (third surgery was to repair the meniscus tear that they didn't see in the second surgery two months before).

My fears may be completely unfounded. Hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a knee injury. But the thought of more traction just gives me the shivers.

Hope your daughters doing better now.

 

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Hope your daughters doing better now.

Thanks! DD feels great. I, on the other-hand...

 

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I am all for the change to 43 ft. but if a girl has a birth month of September thru December she will be in junior high for both years of 14U. January thru August then just one year, providing she has not repeated a grade. So unless middle school ball changes also (I feel they should) there will be a back and forth. This may add to the number of girls that choose to play travel ball over middle school ball.

as for spikes. The boys have been able to wear spikes for middle school baseball and I did not know the girls could not. Proper technique should be taught early regardless of the type of cleats one wears.

 

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I am all for the change to 43 ft. but if a girl has a birth month of September thru December she will be in junior high for both years of 14U. January thru August then just one year, providing she has not repeated a grade.

Close but not quite. I think most school districts cut off at July 31st. My dd had a birthdate of Aug, and she is in 7th. If (hope) ASA changes to 43', those girls who are 13U and in 8th grade will get stuck with going to 43' during the 2nd year of 14U (being freshman) and it will really affect those pitchers because the tournament season starts less than 2 weeks later.

 

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If pitchers are not already throwing(practicing) from 43' at 12u then they are behind the learning curve. JMHO. Daughter went from 14u at 40' to 18U at 43' and was actually a better pitcher.

 

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I like the change to 43' at 14U. Lots of girls are either in the 8th grade or in HS so agree with whomever said may as well get them prepared for HS and also agree with being behind the learning curve. Too many different tourneys are both 40 and 43 so may as well prepare for 43'.

If she is 12 or 13 years old and playing 14U she must be good enough and have the skill set also for the metal cleats (or should have if parents arent forcing them up).

The one thing I have read on here about the middle schools and going to 43'... lots of schools these days are actually club for middle school so the league committee determines the distance. So suggest you choose where you go based on your preference.

 

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I agree that travel 14u should be at 43' but still believe that the middle school club program needs to be at 40' still. Or, since it's club, maybe the coaches set this up before or during scheduling. Some are capable, others not.

 

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But how many will wear them before they learn the proper mechanics of sliding because of peer or parental pressure ? ;&

Again, it is noted they don't have to wear them. Keep in mind the girls started out with metal years ago and a rule to change to plastic/rubber was put in play. Since that time, it has been monitored and over the course of years they realized the overall injury count went up due to rubber cleats for a variety of reasons. The decision to allow metal or return to old standards is one made after seeing an increase in injury. ASA is doing the right thing and one of the few times they actually admit they made a mistake and are correcting it. Good for ASA.

 

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...The one thing I have read on here about the middle schools and going to 43'... lots of schools these days are actually club for middle school so the league committee determines the distance. So suggest you choose where you go based on your preference.

I'm a middle-school coach of a "club" team but we compete in the OCC where MOST of the other teams are school sanctioned and follow OHSAA/NFHS rules.

Close but not quite. I think most school districts cut off at July 31st. My dd had a birthdate of Aug, and she is in 7th. If (hope) ASA changes to 43', those girls who are 13U and in 8th grade will get stuck with going to 43' during the 2nd year of 14U (being freshman) and it will really affect those pitchers because the tournament season starts less than 2 weeks later.

DD and pitcher is Sept '00 and in 7th. Assuming ASA moves it:

2013 7th Grade - 40'
2013 Travel 12U - 40'
2014 8th Grade - 40'
2014 Travel 13U - 43'
2015 School (HS) - 43'

I like the idea but agree that she will struggle with only having two weeks to "make the transition" especially since they will be the younger team in the 14U tournaments. Best case for us would be that ASA makes the change for 2013 and OHSAA makes the change for the 2014 middle school season. Ha.

 

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Again, it is noted they don't have to wear them. Keep in mind the girls started out with metal years ago and a rule to change to plastic/rubber was put in play. Since that time, it has been monitored and over the course of years they realized the overall injury count went up due to rubber cleats for a variety of reasons. The decision to allow metal or return to old standards is one made after seeing an increase in injury. ASA is doing the right thing and one of the few times they actually admit they made a mistake and are correcting it. Good for ASA.

I would like to see the stats on that please. Thank you.

 

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It is official. These rules have all been approved and take effect 1/1/2013. Pitchers, start practicing now.

 

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... Best case for us would be that ASA makes the change for 2013 and OHSAA makes the change for the 2014 middle school season. Ha.

Then the 12U parents will be wanting 43' because of MS... Ha!

 

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2013 7th Grade - 40'
2013 Travel 12U - 40'
2014 8th Grade - 40'
2014 Travel 13U - 43'
2015 School (HS) - 43'

Maybe you forgot to add 2013 Fall Ball/winterball at 14u which would be at 43' as well

 

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A fun yet sarcastic question, should the width of the plate change too... and the distance to the bags be different by age group?

I love the 43' standardization at 14u, thank you ASA for being 2nd in this change behind all the other Sanctions. I woulda thought ASA would have led this effort but at this point glad they are on board.

 

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A fun yet sarcastic question, should the width of the plate change too....

That would depend on Blue. :lmao:

 

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Maybe you forgot to add 2013 Fall Ball/winterball at 14u which would be at 43' as well

Sure did. That changes EVERYTHING except my hope that OHSAA will adopt 43' for 2014.

 

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I would like to see the stats on that please. Thank you.

Imo, I think ASA made these changes to keep up with Premier rather than injury stats.

 

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Are facemasks mandatory yet?

 

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Love that 14u went to 43'. Maybe now we as coaches can convince parents that playing OF is not such a bad thing. You play with 9 for a reason!