THE ISSUE: GIRLS SOFTBALL RULES: The battle over three feet
By Scott Bernarde
It’s just three feet, but it’s much bigger than that in the debate over the distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate in high school girls fast-pitch softball.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the regulation distance from the rubber to the plate is 40 feet. A growing number of coaches, especially those in softball-strong metro Atlanta, would like to see it increased to 43 to be in line with the college game.
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“The three feet, it’s a huge difference for both the pitcher and the batter,” said Kelly Murdock, head coach at Mill Creek, one of the teams expected to challenge for the state Class AAAA championship this weekend in Columbus.
Murdock says moving back the mound will benefit players by allowing them to develop on the same infield dimensions played in college. Pitchers, for instance, would have to adjust their pitches to break at a later point to be successful in college.
The change also might shake up a high school game dominated by certain strikeout pitchers since the Georgia High School Association began sanctioning fast-pitch championships 15 seasons ago.
At least two states (Florida and Massachusetts) have adopted 43 feet on a trial basis. Florida asked to deviate from the National Federation rule because of safety concerns for the pitcher, according to Ernie Yarbrough, associate director with the GHSA, whose area of responsibility includes softball.
He doesn’t see a change happening in Georgia, “unless there’s strong documentation” it can reduce injuries.
“For us to do this, it would have to be an issue of safety, first and foremost,” he said.
A GHSA concern is the ability of small schools and others not in softball-rich areas to be competitive at 43 feet. Some programs already have difficulty finding pitchers effective from 40 feet.
It seems clear that moving the mound back to the college distance could better prepare prospects for the next level. At the same time, with spring and summer travel ball and college showcase events pitching from 43 feet, there are opportunities for top players to get experience. And with the growth of the sport in Georgia since the 1990s, this state now regularly produces a large number of major-college signees.
“While we certainly want to help promote players to play at the college level,” Yarbrough said, “that’s not our prime objective at the high school level.”
COACHES WEIGH IN
Should the mound be moved? We posed that question to coaches who had teams still alive in state playoffs last week:
Alan Maddox, head coach, Loganville
“To be honest, I am undecided on the issue. I personally would like the pitching mound to be moved back to 43 feet. I think for girls that are going to compete at the college level, they need to get used to the mound being at that distance. From a pitching standpoint, it would allow the pitcher to get more movement on the ball and allow the ball longer to break. … From an offensive standpoint, it would allow a greater reaction time for the batter and may take away some of the pitcher dominance. … However, my concerns are for those programs that may not be as competitive or may not have girls that play year-round. For some programs in the state, they are just looking for a pitcher that can throw it across the plate.”
Kristy Simpson, head coach, Kell
“I am in favor of keeping the pitching rubber at 40 feet. Moving the pitching rubber back three feet will hurt the sport because most high school players are not strong enough to be able to pitch from that distance. Also, it will reduce the level of competition throughout the entire state.”
Mike Cavey, head coach, Apalachee
“I am in favor of moving it back. I really feel that this would benefit our high school girls by playing on the same dimensions as they would in college. Three feet makes a tremendous difference both as a hitter and as a pitcher. I really don’t know how many freshmen college pitchers struggle to make the adjustment in their first year of playing college, but I would guess they really have to work extra in preparing for the adjustment.”
Brad Thompson, head coach, Vidalia
“I am in favor of 43 because the average strength of a girl is not very strong. Pitchers are too overpowering from 40. The bats are too small in diameter in relation to the ball. I feel the game would be more exciting from 43; less foul balls, which means the flow of the game would be better.”
Kelly Murdock, head coach, Mill Creek
“It’s just a shame our kids are not playing on the same dimensions that are used in college… . Pitchers pitch all summer at 43 feet [in travel ball], then have to move up to 40. It’s a disservice to the players.”
Any of the coaches on this board that are objecting to the 43 foot distance probably have a good pitcher at 40 feet and do not want to mess up their personal situation.
The fact is that pitching coaches will typically have young pitchers even as early as 8 years old throwing from far past 43 feet in a practice drill. Non-pitchers are throwing over-hand from the outfield, third-base and shortstop. And, you know that throwing underhand is easier on the arm that overhand!
Over a decade ago I saw a half-dozen 10 year-olds throw strikes from second base in a contest!!