Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitching Distance for 7th/8th Graders

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We all know that Ohio High School goes to 43 feet in 2011. I am unclear if that will also be the pitching distance for those schools playing 7th and 8th grade ball.

Help Please!

 

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Hope not, most girls pitching in Middle School don't fair well from 40ft, with exception to some good Travel Ball pitchers. Don't think many MS Teams could actually play if they moved it back.

 

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last I heard, OHSA was waiting on announcing their intentions for middle school teams and the 43 foot rule.. Im with you, I think it should be kept at 40 feet until highschool. Then the next questions is? At what age will ASA/ NSA and other Orgs start pitching at 43 feet??

 

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I was wondering, is there jr high teams in N.E. Ohio(Trumbull County)?

 

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I was under the impression that only the varsity was being moved back to 43. This will save the girls in middle school. Thats why they are leaving the 14u teams alone for now as well.

 

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Take a look at what all of the surrounding states are doing, then assume OHSAA will do the opposite and you'll have your answer.

 

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Heath Crush---that's where I am going with this---it seems to me that the answer for 14U pitching distance for ASA/NSA/USSSA/etc lies in what the school system does for the middle schools. For those associations it's a no brainer what to do for 15U and above and 12U and below---BUT the 14U is much more difficult.

Assuming it is left at 40 feet, this will create some scheduling difficulties for tournaments that have 16U and 18U teams playing at same time as 14U teams--due to the 40 ft rubber being in the way of girls pitching from 43 feet.

 

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Maybe you could just stake down a powerline mat and move it between games. :lmao:

 

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Is 16U next to adopt the 43 ft rule?

 

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Maybe you could just stake down a powerline mat and move it between games. :lmao:

At least you will know if they step out of the 24" slot.

 

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Our summer team has already went with 43 feet, since we play by High school rules. So that is 7,8,and 9 graders. Went with Metal spikes last year. I know everyone is saying varsity, but I'm being told they will not move the rubber back and forth.

 

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Moving the rubber back and forth is relatively easy--BUT when moving it back to 43 ft, you just can not pack the hole at 40 ft good enough so that the pitchers do not dig a crater.

If the middle schoolers and High school use different fields staying at 40 and 43 feet shouldn't be a problem--if they use the same diamond there is a problem.

 

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OK so it means a little more work for the coaches. I dont have a problem fixing the hole between games, even at other peoples tournaments, so save my DDs ankle. This is the way it is going to be and all the complaints arent going to change anything. Sounds like some dads are going to have to throw a rake and shovel in their truck get of the bucket and join in and work the fields. I keep a rake shovel and a tamper tool in the truck for practice and games.

 

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After our first district softball meeting, it was told to us that AlLL of highschool will be 43 feet, not just varsity!! There does seem to be question still, however, as to what they are going to do with middle school? My guess is they will not have a ruling on that until after next season, becasue this year all will still be at 40 ft...

 

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If Ohio is anything like Indiana...OHSAA stands for Ohio HIGH SCHOOL Athletic Assoc. which means they have no jurisdiction over middle school. In Indiana, the IHSAA wouldn't make a rule for middle school/jr. high. I wouldn't expect OHSAA to come out with a ruling on it! My guess is that will be left up to whichever school you play.

 

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In most areas the middle schools follos the same rules. Unless they are a "club" team.

 

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Ice Viper, that holds pretty true. Even the young rec teams follow high school rules.