DAMan Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thought I would share this with U. What are Ur thoughts? THIS IS AN EMAIL FROM USFA Reply-to: [email protected] Coaches/Parents/Players/Umpires: This is a very important issue concerning the 14U age division. Please take a moment and read this in its entirety and give me your opinion about the 14U age division and if you feel USFA should move the 14U division to 43. I personally feel this would be a big mistake and a detriment to the 14U players and ultimately the sport in the long run and I explain why below, but we will listen to your opinions and take actions accordingly. By now, most of you have probably heard that the High School pitching distance rules have recently changed from 40 feet to 43 feet which I feel was long overdue for the 16-18year olds who will soon transition to college. Because of this change, USFA has mandated that beginning Sep 1st we will also change our pitching distance to 43 feet for the 16U & 18U divisions. Now with that said, we have had several inquiries about the 14U division since many of the 14U players will also be competing at the JV or Varsity level. So what about 14U? Do we move all the 14U division to 43 foot – only the 14U A division or leave them all at 40foot? Please read me comments below before giving me your opinion. A few other organizations have made the hasty decision to move the 14U division to 43 because it might be the popular thing for the moment. But they are doing this without regard for the long term negative affects this will have on the pitchers and hitters and the overall game at 14U and beyond. Moving the 14U division to 43 feet just because they may play JV or Varsity at 43 feet is not a decision USFA is taking lightly, nor should you. Please indulge me while I will explain why. As someone who lives in Florida and has witnessed 43 foot pitching in High School for the past 4 years in addition to having been a pitching coach for numerous players at that level and as the father of a former DI pitcher, I can tell you that 43 foot has proved to be a very good thing for many of my older seasoned varsity pitchers because it helped prepare them for the next level while at the same time has been a detriment to many of the younger varsity and JV pitchers as well as most hitters who faced lesser quality pitching. My concerns with moving 14U travel ball to 43 feet is that it won't give those pitchers the opportunity to develop proper mechanics, form, pitch movement and most importantly mental stability at a time that is most important in their growth and development as pitchers. So instead of seeing these kids develop their spins, release, movement and leg drive, you'll start seeing more shoulder, elbow and knee injuries which I can tell you I've seen much more of here in Florida from many many young pitchers who subconsciously try to overthrow rather than truly pitch when faced with 43 feet in HS. And that's from 14yr old – 9th graders. Some states will have kids pitching at 43 feet in HS as young as 12yr old - 7th graders. HS at 43 feet for these young pitchers is a concern for me but not nearly as big of an issue as travel ball at 43 feet. Although the pitching will be weaker in HS from the younger players, so will the hitting since most HS teams only have a few decent hitters. But throwing at 43 feet in travel ball they'll face much better hitters and consequently we'll see a great deal more pitching injuries not to mention a lower quality of pitching in the long run because pitchers will have had only 2 years at the 12U level to develop before being thrown to the wolves and expected to perform. 14U pitchers need to fully develop and learn to pitch -- not just throw before trying to muscle the ball another three feet. To me this would be a huge mistake, and you're just asking for pitching injuries, but again we'll listen to your thoughts and make our decision accordingly. Now as far as the hitting goes: Consider that the average varsity High School pitcher throws 52-56mph with some movement and the average JV pitcher throws 47-53 with barely any movement. Less than 5% of High School pitchers ever break 60mph consistently if at all and fewer yet have a command of their pitches at that speed. Remember I'm talking about 8th – 12th grade HS pitchers, not the above average 10th-12th grade travel ball pitchers (again, the roughly 5% that are taking lessons, pitching 5 days a week and are hoping to be recruited for college – not the 95% of HS pitchers that never pitch in travel ball or are the 3rd or 4th pitcher). Anyway, when you take that average HS pitcher, move her back 3 feet giving the batter more reaction time, you in essence take 2-3 mph off her pitches and now that same HS pitcher seems like she's pitching 50-54 or roughly the same speed as a good 10U or 12U travel ball pitcher. That's basically what you'll get at the 14U level from 13-14 yr old players if 14U is moved to 43 feet. Yes, the offense will increase because your facing weaker pitching. Your hitters will become much weaker because now instead of facing a true 52-55mph pitcher with decent movement at 40 feet, you'll be facing what seems like 48-52mph with virtually no movement at 43 feet. One of the purposes for travel ball is prepare the kids for the next level. However if 14U is moved to 43 feet you'll basically be moving backwards in pitching speed from 12U (40ft) to 14U because most pitchers between 12U & 14U aren't becoming faster, they are developing their pitches better. The faster speed (high 50s – low 60s) and movement rarely become consistent until their bodies have developed better at around 15 or 16. Hopefully you're all still reading at this point because I feel this is a very critical decision that affects not only your young pitchers but also the hitting and the overall game at the 14U level and beyond. I personally feel like by moving the 14U age division to 43 we would be moving more toward rec ball than college ball and I think it's a mistake. Not to mention the almost certain increase in pitching injuries, but I want to hear your opinions. Please take some time – talk to college coaches & players and ask their thoughts. I haven't spoken to one pitching coach or college pitcher that thinks it's a good idea for a 12-14yr old to throw at 43 feet. So what about 14U? Do we move all the 14U division to 43 foot – only the 14U A division or leave them all at 40foot? Please give me your opinion. Thank You for your time and we look forward to hearing from you Jeff Strode, Vice President Eastern United States United States Fastpitch Association Office:(850) 729-7481 Cell: (850) 420-7974 [email protected] This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sports Reporter Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Another example of policy makers over doing it. Totally asinine idea to move 14U to 43'. Total Obama like idea, you let policy makers get their foot in the door for CHANGE and it becomes an epidemic. At least the guy who wrote the article that DAMan referenced is on the right track, he doesn't see moving 14u pitching distance as a good idea either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HR4MEK4U Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 I certainly agree with sports reporters comments there is no positive reason to move 14u to 43ft. My opinion is if they are playing jv or varsity AGAINST 16-18 YO as a 14u eligible player they should be playing 16u at least. Obama the silent killer with "Change" in one hand and Binoculars in the other looking to be the "Big Brother" on Capitol Hill to have his hand in everyones business ......even softball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladyranger Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 14U does not need to move to 43'. IMO that is just a little too soon to make the move. 16U and older is when the move needs to be made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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