Mass. and Fla. @ 43' in High School

We probably won't agree on this, but here goes one more argument...Baseball has "played around" with their rules more than once...remember when they adjusted the height of the mound down, back in the 60's I think? That was because the pitchers were dominating. When one position/player becomes the literal focus of a game, rules are changed to bring more people (and more excitement?) into the game. Did baseball say "the hitters just need to practice more, be more committed, whatever, to adjust to the dominant pitching"? No, they realized that for the longevity of the sport, they needed to do something, and the hitters just were not going to catch-up the way the game was currently designed. I believe that's where we are with softball. Throw in the safety factor, and to me, it's a great impetus to change.

 

SORRY but we wont agree on this. I dont see how anyone could say that girls softball is not exciting. Maybe some of the hs games but tb is one of the most competive and exciting games anybody could see. I just dont think we need to mess with something thats not broke, a 43 rubber wouldnt be so bad because that is what they will see in college but thats all!!

 

I believe it should be 43' everywhere around the USA. With 40' it's starting to become a pitchers game. If you have a good to excellent pitcher it's almost a shutout everygame. If they move it back to 43' then it becomes more about a team game then just if you have a great pitcher. Move it back to 43', leave everything else the same and the game will be perfect. Also, pitchers won't be shell shocked when then get to college ball and struggle with the extra 3 feet.

 

43 feet

I say yes for Varsity only more movement from 43.

 

If that happens i can agree with that but leave the bases and everything else alone!!!

 

My dd will be there next year {pitcher}. brittany is a great player, heck of an arm !!!!!!!!

 

we won't......just why bb is what it is to some and what it is to others?

hitting techniques, just as important as pitching techniques and are taught and practiced yearround too!

 

pitchers still............

I think hittings is getting gradually better and more HR's, but still mostly against the average pitchers. Still seeing a boatload of K's, no-hitters, perfect games, very few runs, etc posted by many top pitchers, and lot of extra innings when there's 2 top pitchers going in same game.

 

Alright, let me weigh in one more time on the 70' bases...first, it's safety, especially for the 3B and 1B positions. Second, it's about turning the game into something more athletic. Right now much of the game is about quick reactions...hitting especially, but also the infield play, mainly the corners but including all the infielders. I'd like to see the more athletic girls rewarded more often. For instance, there's little chance for the SS/2B to take more than a couple steps. Let's give her some more room, and time, to roam and show off the athletic abilities she has. Also allow the faster runner to take advantage of her speed. Right now there might be 0.5 second difference in the slowest and fastest runners time to first base, not much really. Let's increase that difference and really reward the athlete instead of the "big bopper" who can't run much. I'm always in favor of the athlete over the one-dimensional player. Also, about the pitching distance, moving the pitching rubber back to 43' hopefully will reduce the K's. Think about it...a 7-inning game has 21 outs...if the pitcher records more than 10 K's with minimal hits, that leaves about 10 opportunities per game for another player to be involved. Kinda boring for the rest of the players, don't you think?

OK, that's about all of my arguments. You long-time softball people can have a field day with that one. Sounds like most agree on the 43' pitching distance, so I'm happy with one change at a time...the base length issue can be the next change.

 

One of the biggest reasons softball is so exciting is because of the quickness of the game that for the life of me i cant understand why anyone would want to change. Maybe you can envent a game that you dont need a pitcher like maybe coach pitch then there will be NO strike outs and everybody gets to put the bat on the ball sounds like that would be the game to watch ha ha. Thats all from me on this thread.