43' instead of 40'

Any thoughts on how 43' will effect the high school game this year? I went to 4 high school games last year and saw 5 different 4A teams play. Out of those 5 teams, 2 teams literally didn't have a pitcher that was effective at 40'. There was a lot of walks and a lot horrible decisions because the other team wanted to hit. Two other teams had a pitcher(s) that could throw strikes, but had no movement. And the other had a kid that could throw it across the plate, but with very little movement. At 43' this year, I would expect that the 2 teams that didn't have an effective pitcher, will have it even harder this year. The two teams that had a pitcher that could get it across the plate will be tit for tat this year as last year or worse if these two pitchers didn't develop. The one pitcher that had the movement at 40', will probably be the same or maybe a little worse if she didn't get better in the off season. This was Varsity, not even talking about JV. Now of course this only applies if the same pitchers or similar ability pitchers are on the hill for these teams. Will this hurt high school ball this season? At the two games where one team didn't even have a pitcher that could throw a strike, you could see the frustration on both sides. The team without pitching was certainly frustrated and their competition was frustrated because of so many walks. Then these teams had to deal with the umpire drastically expanding the strike zone to take pity on the teams that couldn't throw strikes. The teams that all ready had effective pitching will continue on or may fall in with the the other 90% of teams in high school ball if they don't have an effective pitcher in waiting. What is everybody elses take on this.

 

For sure you will see more offense. It happened in college, it has happened in TB and it will happen in HS. Movement and change of speed will be much more important from a pitching standpoint. A lot of the girls who were very successful throwing upper 50s to 60 with fastballs most of the time at 40' won't be nearly as effective at 43'. It will be impossible to compare last years stats and accomplishments to this years. A girl who did well last year may be a little better this year but will still get hit more. The 3' does make a lot of difference. I was at the clinic at Charlotte and listened to the head coach of Alabama wwho is one of the top coaches with one of the top programs in the nation. He stated that since the move back to 43' you can not really teach the girls to hit not just teach them to try and make contact. Stated you could do so much more with the swing as the extra 3' give you time to do a lot more. We won't see the high number of k's from every pitcher. Now there will be some exceptions with a few of the upper tier pitchers but there is only a handful of those in hs just as there are only a few in college. I like the move to 43' but as a coach and parent don't expect your star from last year to be quite as dominating as before and really work on defense

 

The pitching wont change much but the hitting will. That is a lot of extra time for a hitter.

 

It will be a better game

More of a team game as the pitcher will not dominate as much. That said, the kid who is a true D1 prospect should still blow away most opponents. Of course, those kids are few and far between.

 

Very very true. You nailed it

 

Defense

43 feet will hopefully bring back the only thing we miss from slow pitch, everyone will have to be able to play defense and make plays because of more hitting. Should be more exciting to watch.

 

......alot of extra time for the hitter? Explain to us with facts just how much time you're talking about.
And why would the pitching not change?
Just asking, ....and no dog in the hunt here folks.
Fishpal

 

even a fish can do math... 8% more time... (3 additional feet divided by the old distance *100) Plus teh infinitely small amount of slowdown in 3 feet. Pitchers will have to adjust a little for the distance on their breaking balls but the biggest change in 3 feet goes to the batter.