Pitching Distance Change

[InSider]

It has been 5 years since NFHS changed the high school pitching distance from 40' to 43'. That rule was mandatory beginning in the 2011 season. 2 years later, most sanctions moved 14u back to 43'. For the year between, some tournaments gave 14u the option to be in a 40' group or a 43' group.

There were a few reasons why this change was made. These included, but are not limited to....

1. More offense
2. Less pitching domination
3. Prepare for the 43' college distance
4. Pitcher safety

I will say that I think there is much more offense and less overall pitcher domination than there was before the distance changes. When my oldest daughter played, there were a lot of strikeouts. The few girls who were HR hitters were the ones who could catch up to the pitch. I think the pitching distance change has helped to drive the importance of movement in a pitch. Pure speed won't cut it anymore.

What do you think? Do you think these distances are suitable? Do you think there should be more change? Do you think it has helped or hurt the game?

 

[Fairman]

I think the distances are okay but I would like to see the 11" ball used in the 12U division.
These kids are still only 11 and 12 and their hands have not grown enough to wrap around the ball so they tend to use the shot-put type throwing motion especially the younger smaller late growth kids.

The pitchers and the fielders would not be forced to transition into adult sized gloves, they would be able to throw further with greater accuracy with much better mechanics. The offense would see more balls in the strike zone and would be able to hit the ball further and more often.

This one small change would increase everyone's enjoyment of the game tenfold at a critical time when girls are deciding to stick or move on.

 

[InSider]

So, 11" ball and 40' at 12u, then jump to 12" and 43' at 14u?

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Id rather see the 11" ball done away with and leave the pitching distances as is. We have some 12U's, as many do, that would hit an 11" ball to the moon if they got ahold of it and I would guess reaction time from a pitcher and corner IF would be cut down greatly vs an 11" ball.

 

[jt7663]

I think the distances are okay but I would like to see the 11" ball used in the 12U division.

Sorry have to disagree on this one. If you were to ask the majority of the Dedicated 12u Pitchers had very few problems adjusting to the 12" Ball. Some have even stated easier to throw Change Ups!

 

[FastBat]

I think the distances and sizes of ball are fine, if they don't make anymore changes.

It is a big change from 10u to 12u, almost to the point that the 11u year is becoming a "make or break" year for pitchers. In some cases, the 40 feet and 12 inch ball change at 12u makes an un-hittable 10u pitcher, a mediocre 12u pitcher. The pitchers just can't get discouraged, some unfortunately do.

If anyone is familiar with SB from 10-20 years ago, it's hard to grasp the concept that a pitcher is good with getting hit so much in today's FP SB games. I would say, 20 years ago, a dominating pitcher in 18u and younger, got many more K's and were dominating in every sense of the word. Today, I think pitchers are looking to induce infield pop outs and easily fielded grounders, and they are now considered dominating or strong. Hard for old time softball fans like my parents to get used to. I'm sure those high percentage per game "strikeout" pitchers, from 20 years ago, are still out there, I just haven't seen any recently. It's hard to explain that pushing the pitcher back 3 feet can make the game become less about the pitcher, after all, it's only 3 feet. But, if you have ever sat through a game with tons of K's, I will tell you it can get boring, it's fun to see the entire team "own the win." JMHO, but it's more fun watching a game with one great fielding play after another!

 

[crystlemc]

My 17 year old has tiny hands. Like that Burger King commercial where the guy would order the Whopper Junior so that his hands didn't look so small. Freakishly tiny. My 10 year old niece has bigger hands than my 17 year old. And my girl had no problem with the 12" ball. I think it helped with her spin because she really has to grip the seams. Sadly though, I do think it limited her pitching speed. But that's irrelevant. I think the vast majority of 11 year old pitchers do just fine with the 12" ball.

As for the distances, I was glad when they moved them back since it give a little more time for spin to do it's job with a "not a barn burner" pitcher.

 

[daboss]

Leave things as they are and adapt.

 

[weekendsoftball]

As the dad of a 11 year old pitcher, I think the 12" ball is appropriate. It has been a fun year and competitive 11u season. I have said for the last couple years that I think 10u should pitch from 40' with the same 11" ball. That would make 10u much less pitcher dominant and make the transition to 12u a little easier.

 

[DW@SBC]

It has been 5 years since NFHS changed the high school pitching distance from 40' to 43'. That rule was mandatory beginning in the 2011 season. 2 years later, most sanctions moved 14u back to 43'. For the year between, some tournaments gave 14u the option to be in a 40' group or a 43' group.

There were a few reasons why this change was made. These included, but are not limited to....

1. More offense
2. Less pitching domination
3. Prepare for the 43' college distance
4. Pitcher safety

I will say that I think there is much more offense and less overall pitcher domination than there was before the distance changes. When my oldest daughter played, there were a lot of strikeouts. The few girls who were HR hitters were the ones who could catch up to the pitch. I think the pitching distance change has helped to drive the importance of movement in a pitch. Pure speed won't cut it anymore.

What do you think? Do you think these distances are suitable? Do you think there should be more change? Do you think it has helped or hurt the game?

The pitching distance change saved the game in my opinion.

 

[LADY lOOKOUTS]

This is an excellent question! I was a pitcher at 40 feet through high school and travel ball and Div 1 college ball, with a white ball. The jump to 43 feet for college was not a problem and quite frankly gave my pitches more time to break. Pitchers were dominating the game at 40 feet. Pretty hard to hit 60 mph at 40. lower ERAs, low scoring games, way less offense. The stats for high school at 40feet should not be compared to the new stats at 43 feet. The OHSAA should make tw0 record books. The game has changed so much. When they added the yellow ball it has a poppy cork which when hit has more pop on it. Then added composite bats . Keeping pitchers at 40 feet with a poppy corked ball and composite bats would be deadly to the pitchers. which I assume is why they moved the pitchers back. A good move there. I like how the game is evolving I would like to see instant replays next!!!!! I also believe games should go back to a full 7 innings. and tournaments double elimination. This will force pitchers to work harder in off season knowing there are full games to pitch. and will give the offense time to rebound after that ? One bad inning?!! Just a thought. great question!!

 

[Meemerthe beast]

I have two pitchers at 11U and one is twice the size of the other. My smaller pitcher throws more types of pitches than my bigger pitcher and depending on the day as to who is pitching better that day. My smaller pitcher gets more ground balls hit than the bigger pitcher but both have there time and place depending on who we are playing on any given day. I can say my smaller pitcher get teased badly about having a target on her as she gets hit almost every tournament. My smaller pitcher last fall struggled to pitch in the beginning but is not having any problems now and the bigger pitcher stepped right in as if she has been pitching since she could walk. I personally like the mound at 40' but the ball size has not made any difference to my pitchers in the end. The thing I would not mind seeing is the base distance increased. My corners play at really around 45' and with the bats today that ball comes pretty hot. I also would like to see every game be 7 full innings and double elimination. That would change the dynamic of how the game is played greatly as pitcher would have to work harder to have the stamina. Lady Lookouts: You create a league of 7 innings and double elimination tourney and I will mail you a check today.