Pitching and Pitchers Discussion pitching distance for 14-u

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Has there been any word on if ASA will move 14-u pitchers back to 43' yet?

 

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ASA indicated at their convention in November of 2011 that 14u would stay at 40 ft. DD is a 7th grade 13u and initially was leery about making the jump to 43ft (before we knew that it would stay at 40 ft) but after playing in several scrimmages this fall/ winter, and a high school league at 43ft, she actually prefers 43ft. She gets more movement on her pitches.

 

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Movement pitchers tend to like 43ft, the flame throwers with no movement, not so much...

 

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ASA has consistently stated that the pitching distance for 14U will stay at 40'
for 2012.

 

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Movement pitchers tend to like 43ft, the flame throwers with no movement, not so much...

Agree 100 %.

Really wished that ASA would have joined the ranks on this one. I think if they had been the first to make the move, the others would have followed. But now they don't want to be the followers. ;&

 

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Agree 100 %.

Really wished that ASA would have joined the ranks on this one. I think if they had been the first to make the move, the others would have followed. But now they don't want to be the followers. ;&

Totally agree. HS is at 43' in most if not all states. Most if not all other major sanctions are 43' starting at 14U. ASA should have made the move for HS age groups IMO. It makes them look like the spoiled-rotten bratt that wants it their own way and does not want to change. If they want to claim safety as the reason, I guess they don't understand that the pitcher is 3' closer so the pitches are up a bit in MPH, which increases the ball exit off the bat, which reduces reaction time. Reduced reaction time PLUS being 3' closer is safer?? Yes, more contact will be made with moving the pitching distance back.....I understand that, but I would trade more contact over having a player closer to the batter any day.

Len

 

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Len...I agree on the safety side.

I'm still very surprised they took this path. Wonder what Liberty Mutual thinks about it?

 

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Great subject!! I'm actually surprised that it hasn't gotten more attention up until this point. I'll tell you what's going on down our way. The Western PA ASA has announced just last week that they will be offering both 40' and 43' pitching distance during their tournaments. If you go on their web site:

http://www.asawpa.net/home.html

you'll see a pitching distance choice when you register. I am very curious to see where the chips will fall. Who will participate and what pitching distance will they choose?? (Not too far from a lot of you guys either. **Making an observations, I am in no way affiliated with the ASA..Just looking for good competition to come down our way. I'm tired of paying all the the toll fees to come up your way..LOL)

My personal opinion is right in line with our organizations opinion. Our 14u teams will not be participating in any tournaments that offer 40' pitching only for the most obvious reasons. I have also expressed this on our team web site:

http://www.eteamz.com/pittsburghspirit/index.cfm?subsite=4877041

USSSA, NSA, PONY, Middle School, and most importantly, High School (not in the sense that High School has anything to offer) but, in the sense that the athletes will be coming off of school ball and jumping right into summer tournaments with little or no break) are all 43 feet......Not to mention college and, if you want to go there, the pros.
Again, in my opinion, coming off of the H.S. season and jumping right into travel ball, 40' pitching doesn't benefit anybody on either side of the plate. (But it will generate some early wins if you have a speed ball pitcher.)

Additionally, and I'm sure many will agree, I want the ball put in play!! I want the players challenged, I want them thinking for themselves, making plays, ect...
There is no reason why the center fielder should be counting blades of grass in the 5th inning with a 1-0 score. Let's put some numbers on the scoreboard!! Are we here to collect hardware, or to help these athletes get better?
I guess that's the question I would have for the ASA at the National Level.

 

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I believe that 43 ft is the distance that 14U on up should be at. My DD is better @ 43'.

 

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any statement from asa on this?

 

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It's a fact that college coaches are starting to look at the 14u age group, especially at showcase tournaments. No doubt these coaches would rather see pitchers tested at 43' to give a better comparison of their current abilities. I would think some of the better known tournaments will modify the pitching rules to allow for this.

I have my doubts about 43' being "safer" than 40' just because of the extra 3' distance. First, all things equal, there will be an increase in the number of balls put into play at 43' vs 40', because 3' is an appreciable benefit to batters seeing a typical 55 mph pitch. A greater number of balls in play means higher odds of batted ball/pitcher impact.

Now, do the math on reaction time to an object traveling at roughly 90 mph over a 40' vs 43' distance - actually less because the pitcher's stride puts them even closer to the plate.

A much better method for improving safety is teaching pitchers to keep the ball off the white and out of the hitter's zone.

 

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any statement from asa on this?

I am sure their only statement will be in their rulebook. :lmao:

 

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It's a fact that college coaches are starting to look at the 14u age group, especially at showcase tournaments. No doubt these coaches would rather see pitchers tested at 43' to give a better comparison of their current abilities. I would think some of the better known tournaments will modify the pitching rules to allow for this.

I have my doubts about 43' being "safer" than 40' just because of the extra 3' distance. First, all things equal, there will be an increase in the number of balls put into play at 43' vs 40', because 3' is an appreciable benefit to batters seeing a typical 55 mph pitch. A greater number of balls in play means higher odds of batted ball/pitcher impact.

Now, do the math on reaction time to an object traveling at roughly 90 mph over a 40' vs 43' distance - actually less because the pitcher's stride puts them even closer to the plate.

Absolutely agree. 43' is not safer, how can giving the batter an advantage make the pitcher safer? I've talked to many that have been in the game for 30 years or more and they also agree it puts the pitcher at more risk. DK in Strasburg is one of those icons of the game that believes that the change makes pitchers less safe.

 

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I'd like to see their decision posted on their website. A lot of "here say" but I've been unable to find any decision for 2012. Please post the link in this thread if found. Thanks.

 

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Great subject!! I'm actually surprised that it hasn't gotten more attention up until this point. I'll tell you what's going on down our way. The Western PA ASA has announced just last week that they will be offering both 40' and 43' pitching distance during their tournaments. If you go on their web site:

http://www.asawpa.net/home.html

you'll see a pitching distance choice when you register.

Am I the only one scratching his head on this one?
Does the entire tournament go with the majority vote? Or could each game be different? It has to drive the grounds crew nuts. It has to drive a coach nuts, too - Pitch your Flame Thrower at 40' tourneys, your Breaking Ballers at 43'... Batters: Up in the box at this game, back in the box for the next one. Etc...

 

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A much better method for improving safety is teaching pitchers to keep the ball off the white and out of the hitter's zone.

Finally some sense.....

 

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Am I the only one scratching his head on this one?
Does the entire tournament go with the majority vote? Or could each game be different? It has to drive the grounds crew nuts. It has to drive a coach nuts, too - Pitch your Flame Thrower at 40' tourneys, your Breaking Ballers at 43'... Batters: Up in the box at this game, back in the box for the next one. Etc...

I wonder if there are two separate 14u groups- each with their own bracket (so to speak)? Only problem with this is what happens if one group is lopsided i.e. 8 teams sign up to play at 43ft and 4 teams sign up to play at 40ft?

 

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What about the pitcher who can throw 60+ and spin the ball? Does it matter? 40' or 43'?

 

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Definitely fewer K's and more balls in play at 43 ft. no matter who is pitching.

 

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What about the pitcher who can throw 60+ and spin the ball? Does it matter? 40' or 43'?

Nope. :lmao: Just a minor adjustment to release point.