USSSA changes pitching distance to 43' for 15U and older

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Coach,

USSSA is announcing, effective immediately, that ages 15U through 18U will adopt a 43 feet pitching distance for all USSSA games. We have asked State Directors look at making this change this fall but there will be some situations that might force directors to run 40 feet this fall. It will be mandatory that all USSSA events be 43 feet by January 1st, 2010 for ages 15U thru 18U.

Most of you probably know that the NFHS has decided to go 43 feet for Varsity fastpitch. This will be optional for the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 for High School programs but mandatory by the fall of 2010 or spring of 2011. It is up to each State HS Federation to decide on JV and Freshman pitching distance. Contact your State Federation if you would like to know what they will be doing for the other divisions of play besides Varsity.

We continue to look at what is best for the game and the players that make up this wonderful game, and want to be proactive when making these decisions. We were one of the first, if not the first, associations to take the 18A division to 43 feet. When we made this change and it was well received.

The question has been raised for the 13U, 14B, and 14A age groups/divisions. At this time these age groups will remain at 40 feet. We will continue to look at these ages in the near future and let you know if there are any changes for these age groups.

If you have any questions on how your State Director will adopt this rule for the fall or any feedback about this rule change please contact your State Director. You can find your State Director's information by clicking the link below.
http://www.usssa.com/usssa/usssa-general/2010FastPitchStateDirectorsList.pdf

We have some great additions for 2010 and are very excited about some of the new changes with USSSA Fastpitch. We will keep you updated with all changes to the program. If you would like to get more involved with USSSA Fastpitch please be sure to contact your State Director. Thank you for playing USSSA!!!!!!!

Jeremy McDowell
Vice President of USSSA Fastpitch
jeremy.mcdowell@usssa.com

 

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Finally we know the age division it will be implememted in Travel Ball as long as all the other sanctions follow along? YEAH!!!!!!!!

 

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Now only if OHSAA would follow suit and implement ASAP for the 2010 season!

Going to have a lot of batters & pitchers playing high school at the shorter distance then having to adjust to 43 ft for the travel ball season.

 

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Now we all know OHSAA moves at the same speed. It might not be a very fast one, but I would think they would discuss it at least as an option.

 

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How soon before ASA and NSA follow?

 

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I'm surprised that ASA was not out in front of this first. USSSA got the jump on everyone else. I have no doubt that ASA will do the same thing.

 

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OHSAA posted it will not implement this any sooner than 2010-2011 season, So it would appear they will have to go back in forth next year from high school to travel ball.

 

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Sorry everyone! I looked but just missed that this thread was already posted. Anyway...I like the move as well but I too am surprised that ASA did not lead the way.

If others do not follow then travel/select could be pitching from both distances all next summer. Option would be to schedule only tournaments where distance is consistent but that could be difficult to do.

 

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Now we all know OHSAA moves at the same speed. It might not be a very fast one, but I would think they would discuss it at least as an option.

OHSAA (Ohio's Hindrance for Sports and Athletic Advancement) really didn't want to go to 43' at all (at least from what I'm told), but grudging consented to go at the last possible moment - 2010/2011 school year, so I wouldn't expect any impact from this on their thought processes.

 

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I like that one Bear. I got to use that one during our high school season. We may be the only state pitching from 40 this year in high school. That sure will help us get our pitchers recruited to college.

 

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OHSAA (Ohio's Hindrance for Sports and Athletic Advancement)

Quote of the year!!!