43' instead of 40'

Don't forget about the extra time for the base runner, it made a huge difference in travel with the runner. My daughter catches and that has been one of our main goals this off season, a quick out and lower pop time. Some of the better catchers will be tested more this year.

 

I Was Thinking...

When 16U and 18U TB went to the 43-foot pitching distance in 2009, I was thinking that every game was going to turn into 10-9 offensive shows. The thing I didn't take into account was how the extra three feet gave a pitcher with a true curve-ball or other movement pitch a huge advantage. Once the movement pitcher adjusted to the increased distance, she was actually able to control the hitters more so than at 40-feet.

Though the pure speed pitcher may see her strikeout stats decrease at 43-feet, I feel the pitcher with solid off-speed and breaking pitches may actually see a higher level of success.

 

If I remember correctly I read in a book on pitching by Cheri Kempf that for every foot of variation in pitching distance the ball seems to change by 3 miles per hour. If that is the case then a pitcher throwning 60 mph at 40' will seem to the batter to be 9 mpg slower at 43'. I certainly do not have the experience to say one way or another but it does make sense when talking about reaction time.

 

The math for those interested...

For those of you which are curious here's a little math on the subject. A softball travelling 60mph ( 88 ft/sec) will take 0.03 sec longer to reach the plate. Someone who throws 50 mph, it would take 0.04 sec longer to reach the plate. At 43 ft and throwing 60mph, it takes all of 0.48 sec for the ball to reach the plate.

 

Good experiment

I say if your not throwing 65+ (Only know of one in the Western Part) then you better have alot of movement and spot your pitches very well. If your anywhere close to the middle of the plate your going to get hit. Then you better have a good D behind her.

 

Constant Velocity?

Don't these numbers assume constant velocity when, in fact, the ball is decelerating from the moment it leaves the pitcher's hand? The calculations are actually real complex. Probably requires some calculus and that certainly eliminates me from being able the tackle them.

 

More offense makes for a more exciting game for the fans and at 43' you will get more offense. Strikeouts will go down, homeruns should go up and more baserunners will make the defense have to think a lot more.
The power pitcher who got bay with fastballs won't be as effective as last year but the hard throwers with good movement will still beat the hitters more times than not.

 

The numbers above also dont reflect release location. As a pitcher strides, the release point is "somewhere" out in front of the rubber. Some could be close to 7 feet in front of the rubber on release for some pitchers. This shortened distance decreases the reaction time from release.

 

....hey CMPal, I guess we both agree one thing,...the ball gets to the plate in a hurry!
0.03 seconds of additional time might be all it takes for a kid to make contact as opposed to fouling one off.
Fishman

 

.....thanks Pridebuddy. Nice post.....and BTW, your DD won't have any problem mowing down batters at 40 or 43 ft.
Props to KZ!