From ASA

A brief synopsis of some ASA Code and Playing Rule Changes (as well as some that did not pass),

18 U "A" pitching distance will be 43 feet. 18U "B" will remain at 40 feet. Recreational Programs are free to choose, as they do not participate in Championship play.

Metal spikes will NOT be allowed.

College players will NOT be precluded from playing in 2008.

 

The metal cleat issue and the pitching distance need to be the same ASA vs High School.

My preference would be 43 feet for both and no metal cleats. If metal ever gets approved by ASA there will be many bleeding legs from all the base blocking these girls have been taught.

I think at 12U A and 14 A or B pitchers can handle 43 feet.

 

It's just silly for anyone to wear metal cleats anymore.

 

Metal Cleats

I played college ball, and there is definitely an advantage to wearing metal cleats. Traction is fantastic. However, you have to learn to slide properly or injuries will occur. As a coach of a travel team and private instructor, there is no need for them in high school. There are too many girls who don't know how to slide properly(who think they know how to slide) and will break or sprain thier ankles or tear up their knees.
ASA is probably doing the right thing for the safety of the players.

 

Agreed 100%. But I might have chosen a bit stronger term than "silly".

 

Just curious....

Does anyone on this board who thinks high school age girls should not wear metal cleats feel the same way about high school age boys?

 

Personally, I don't feel that ANY school sport should utilize steel cleats. What would be the purpose vice the risk?

 

Now what?

Ok, DD is a pitcher and will need new cleats for Spring, plays 16U travel and High School. What should we get? Metal for school and molded for travel or just stick to molded? Is there an advantage for pitchers? We do play on some pretty bad fields. Are they(metal) lighter in weight? Ringors are pretty heavy compared to some cleats. I was hoping metal Ringors would be pretty light, they seemed to be when we looked at them at the NSA World this summer. Will it be wierd going back and forth with them if she goes with metal for school and practices with travel team on the weekends with molded? She also is tall, slim and has a narrow foot if that matters. I'd like to hear opinions from college girls especially on this.

 

Very good question and I hope you get plenty of answers. I had planned on getting metal Ringors for my daughter.

The Ringor light molded version isn't heavy. It is expensive!

 

Metal Cleats

I personally would not spend the money on metal for high school and then rubber cleats for travel(summer). When you daughter gets to college, then she can decide what is best for her, and some colleges may even offer discounts for them.
If buying metal, then I would recommend buying the ones with the replacable metal plates. The metal cleat will wear down before the shoe. In college, I went through 2 sets in a season. I will not recommend which brands are better than others, but the ones with the metal cleat molded into the sole will not be replaceable.