Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Transition to 43 foot pitching rubber

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All the talk about moving the 14U rubber back to 43 feet and the "struggle" many report (and I expect) our pitchers to have making the transition lead me to do some rudimentary physics calculations to see what we are actually dealing with.

I wanted to know how much more the ball is going to drop in that last three feet and what the pitcher is going to have to do to compensate.

The pitcher in this example averages 52mph with her fastball (I am using a fastball so I did not have to adjust for "drop or curve spin"). She is 12U so pitches from a 40 foot rubber (39 feet to the front of the plate). She lets go of the ball approximately 3 feet in front of the rubber and usually 24" above the ground.

So... the ball has to travel 36 feet to get to the front of the plate. Twenty-four inches above the ground at the plate is a strike for most batters so I used that for the pitch location.

Moving her back 3 feet to 43 feet (39 feet of ball travel), how far above the ground would the pitch be? 20.1 inches according to physics; almost four inches lower! That's more than I actually expected. How does she adjust this? She will have to release the ball a little later to create a greater "up angle". The initial "up angle" of the ball at release was 5.75 degrees from the 40 foot rubber. To get the pitch from the 43 foot rubber to cross in the same place, the "up angle" will have to be 6.23 degrees. That's less than half a degree, which does not seem like a huge "physical" change.

How much do pitchers change this angle during a regular at bat? Assume an average strike zone to be 18" to 42" off the ground. To hit the top of the zone from 40 feet with this pitch, the up-angle has to be 7.45 degrees. To hit the bottom of the zone it would have to be 3.04 degrees. A range of 4.41 degrees of initial up-angle being adjusted by the pitcher. The move back is saying you have to adjust only 0.48 degrees.

My conclusion: Physics suggests that the pitcher actually has to do very little differently after moving back 3 feet. AND, the changes that are needed are already being performed, on a MUCH larger scale, in their pitching today. As with most things with teenagers, I'm guessing the "struggle" is primarily between the ears.

The only thing that confuses me more is that, "Why doesn't the DD listen to me like she does her PC?" It would save me alot of $Money$. Have you ever thought of running for president?

 

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OMG - 8 am. first cup of java, trying to read thru this thread having trouble.... seems like i am in school, algerbra... bad memories.... OH my head is starting to hurt! gotta go to ESPN arcade and play some return man!!!

I prefer to keep it simple. "hit your spot - aim small, miss small" No algebra or headache required.

 

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Once I got done writing this chart for my daughter explaining what she needed to know to make the change from 40 to 43, she studied it, learned it, practiced it, and it allowed her to become a College Pitcher..........tough stuff.....

 

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Thanks for posting! DD is studying it now! :lmao:

 

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This is why my daughter gave up pitching because I couldn't explain all the physics and algorithm.

 

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Once I got done writing this chart for my daughter explaining what she needed to know to make the change from 40 to 43, she studied it, learned it, practiced it, and it allowed her to become a College Pitcher..........tough stuff.....

If that's what it takes I think my oldest is doomed. We clash bad when I try to help her w math!

 

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My conclusion: Physics suggests that the pitcher actually has to do very little differently after moving back 3 feet. AND, the changes that are needed are already being performed, on a MUCH larger scale, in their pitching today. As with most things with teenagers, I'm guessing the "struggle" is primarily between the ears.

I enjoyed reading your entire post and 100% agree with your conclusion. With your permission, I'd like to copy this and post it on my board in the pitching studio giving you full credit of course. Great bunch of work!!![/QUOTE]

Granted. Thanks!

 

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now i got it fpitchdad... :yahoo: (if you say so dude)

 

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Not trying to be selfish, I also made one for Hitters. Learn this and a good hitter might be able to hit a good pitcher.......good luck....

 

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Et go home!

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not trying to be selfish, i also made one for hitters. Learn this and a good hitter might be able to hit a good pitcher.......good luck....

 

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14u just turned into a hitters market. Bring it on.

 

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I don't see it making much of a difference. Most 14u pitchers have already been pitching at 43' anyway and throwing at 40' was just a bonus.

 

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And finally, I didn't want to leave parents out, so I made one that they could all understand (i still had to explain it to BouldersDad, but he finally got it). Good luck to all making this overhyped transition. It's just a small bump in the road to excellence in softball, but with hard work, great preparation and non overreacting parents, the kids will all do just fine. Can't wait till spring for some AU Softball.

 

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Yep, I double checked with my calculator above answer is correct.

 

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I'm asking Santa for one of those "high dollar calculators" for Christmas so I can keep up with the parents! LMAO

 

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View attachment 839

 

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always loved this one...

 

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My older DD went through the 40' to 43' transition when travel ball went to 43 and HS stayed at 40. So she spent the summer throwing at 43 and then the fall/winter/spring throwing at 40'. It played havoc with her movement pitches. She did much better the next season when HS and TB were both at 43'.

Some advice.....
1. Once she starts playing at 43' do not play (or practice) at 40'. It is not worth the trouble and only slows down the transition.
2. Work her FB, by stepping backwards until throwing at least from second base. Having her work at this much greater distance will force her to adjust and make the increase seem insignificant. Do a lot of FB work at the long distance until she is comfortable.
3. Call a big zone for awhile and encourage her efforts, do not focus on results. Do not expect to see many strikes until February.
4. Work in the movement pitches as she gains confidence and strength, she'll be ready to go by April.
5. Don't make a big deal out of 3 more feet, heck she's going to grow 6" add 35# and develop hips in the same timeframe. Three feet further is no big deal.