43 feet/Homeruns

Looking at the potential time difference at 43 feet doesnt do the increase in distance any justice. The real difference is when you view the additional 3 feet as 7.5% farther back or 7.5% more time(probably even more than that when you figure that the ball slows even more). 7.5% is a huge amount of additional reaction time given to a hitter.

 

Okay

What is the point of this explanation ?? Is this just to argue or what ?? A HR is a HR, if it was that easy to hit one at 40 or 43 feet then the state record would be broken every year. It has been 6 years since the record was set back in 2004, somebody is going to break it at 40 or 43 feet eventually. Bats are hotter, kids are faster, and there are more drills for bat speed and etc....This game has exploded in the last 5 years,and will be even faster in the next 5.... EOC


Old Softball----------- New Softball... Guru

 

If 3 feet makes no difference, why not move it to 37 feet! How many home runs would be hit if they were pitching from 37 feet? Ridiculous I know, but I offer it as a counterpoint.

You cannot ignore the fact that as the playing field dimensions change so do the results of the game. The research I have seen indicates that a 3 foot difference in pitching distance increase the batter's reaction time by 20% to 28%.

NASCAR drivers would kill for 20% more horsepower, basketball players would kill for 20% more jumping ability, softball pitchers would kill for 20% more pitching speed and likewise, softball hitters benefit from 20% more reaction time in an at bat.

It's great for the game of softball so I am thrilled they moved it back. This game needs more offense, in my opinion.

 

Excellent point

And I would kill for a 20% pay increase!

 

I also think you should consider that it is the release point not the starting point. I only mention this becuase the % change is larger when you consider it. Someone more experienced with high school pitching could tell us about the distance most girls actually release the ball. If the average stride is 6 to 7 feet then the real difference in reaction would need to be measured from 33 or 34 feet from a 40 foot start to 36 or 37 with a 43 foot start. You know I think about this game too much when I tell you I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning with this running through my mind. I need theropy. Oh and I am not arguing either side, as long as both teams pitch from the same distance it should not matter.

 

Okay

You want to decrease stolen base stats move the bases to 90', then you will have a real ball game.. then you want see anymore 2.7 seconds to first base. We could sit here and argue all day about the changes. The fact is yes it's 3 more feet,but you still got to put the bat on the ball, to hit it...breaking ball pitchers have more of an advantage at 43' so in the long run it all evens out...EOC !!!-- Guru

 

Time for An Asterisk On These Stats

The extra 3 feet makes a tremendous difference and gives a huge advantage to the hitter....for now anyway.

Last summer there were several NC 14U travel teams that played up to 16U in some showcase tournaments. In these tournaments, the teams were pitching from 43'. These 14U teams had seen pitching from 40' all summer. At first thought, you would think the 14U teams would struggle hitting the 16U pitching. However, the 14U teams hit the ball extremely well at 43', especially if the pitcher was more of fastball pitcher vs a breaking ball pitcher.

I'm not saying the 14U teams beat the 16U teams (though some did), I'm just saying the extra 3 feet was an advantage to the younger hitters, that somewhat minimized the strength and maturity of the older pitchers.

I would like to see the NCHSAA put an asterisk in the record book, or at least a notation, that pitching and hitting stats recorded from the 2010 season and beyond were from the 43' pitching distance.

Something else to consider...years ago Major League Baseball increased the height of the pitchers mound. Guess what, hitting stats went down, for a while anyway. So if you look at this form a softball perspective, anything you do to give the pitcher an advantage or disadvantage will effect the hitting stats positively or negatively. So for now, the hitters in HS fastpitch do have an advantage with an extra 3 feet.

 

Okay But !!!

I would like to see the NCHSAA put an asterisk in the record book, or at least a notation, that pitching and hitting stats recorded from the 2010 season and beyond were from the 43' pitching distance.

Y ????????????? Could it be that the record that is broken might be your kids record ??? If we start categorizing everything than it becomes a burden on the game. Let's record when the composite bats came into the industry or when the ball core change...Pitching videos ,etc.....man we can beat this thing to death....Guru


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2.7 in High School

Please tell me the names of the NC girls who run 2.7 to first in high school!? Over the years there may have been a couple, Kelly Greive (Tenn), Destiny Covington (VT), Whitney Williams (UNCC), Krystal Hawkins (NC st) Tisha Mahon (UNC), and Chelsea Butler (UNC) all are under 3 seconds, but 2.7 would be pushing it, even for them!

 

Ease up. I don't have any kids playing. But I do think you have a daughter who has hit several home runs this year. Congrats to her! So I think I know where you are coming from in this discussion.

But you do bring up a good point, if I was a Dad of a pitcher, I think it would only be fair to say these stats should be looked at differently than at 40'