8s are 55' i think but 10s are regulation 60'
8u pitching distance
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8s are 55' i think but 10s are regulation 60'
- Feb 7, 2013
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When DD played 8U, our rec field had 55foot base paths but every tournament we played had 60foot. Was definitely a pitchers game at this age using a 10inch ball from 30feet and base paths at 60feet.
- Jun 24, 2013
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Maybe a different too is that we used a hard ball at 35’, it sounds like when they are pitching from 30’ they are using a softie.
Just thinking a little bit.
DD joined SB because her friend talked her into it so they could do something together. DD’s friend did not make it to the 1st game before she quit. She never could get comfortable. We had another player quit the next year, pretty much the same reason.
I wonder if we used softies in 8U and let them get their legs under them a little bit if both would still be playing.
Just thinking a little bit.
DD joined SB because her friend talked her into it so they could do something together. DD’s friend did not make it to the 1st game before she quit. She never could get comfortable. We had another player quit the next year, pretty much the same reason.
I wonder if we used softies in 8U and let them get their legs under them a little bit if both would still be playing.
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^ I don't think that it makes much difference. Softie is a misleading term. Yes, it is squishy in your palm. But, it doesn't help at all if you take one to the eye.
Maybe a better ball is available though.
I have tried experimenting with my 4 year old GDD. It almost seems that she needs a ball that is bigger, instead of smaller.
Maybe a better ball is available though.
I have tried experimenting with my 4 year old GDD. It almost seems that she needs a ball that is bigger, instead of smaller.
Yes it makes a big difference. A black eye or bruised lip from an "incrediball" is much better than a broken orbital socket or lost tooth from are standard hard softball.
I'm pretty sure all of the tournaments we played in 8U All-Stars last year had 60' bases, up to and including States.
10U is definitely 60'.
Our league and local travel teams have a pretty good set up for the 8U players. Pitcher pitches until there's four balls or 3 strikes. If they get to the fourth ball and have no strikes then the batter get's three balls from a pitching machine. They use a softer rubber ball. Can still sting but it's creating better teams coming up through the 10's and 12's. We just started this a few years ago. The machine produces a faster pitch than the coach lobs that were common when coaches came in. It's creating better hitters. In fact we are starting to bring out the pitching machine for the 6U players. Surprise, surprise, they can hit off the machine. Some of the better 8U girls are pitching low 40's by the time the season is over. My DD was at 43mph last year in 8U. The fastest 8U was at 46mph. Most are throwing 36-38 by end of season (TB). League is quite a bit slower.
8u LL in my area for fastpitch is a machine pitch (set at 30 mph) at 35' with a 60' base path. This is a base runners game because they are allowed to steal as the ball is being fed into the machine, but not many can make the throw. In a rare case of a catcher being able to make the throw, only a few can make the catch. Thank GOD for the 6 runs per inning rule.
- Oct 22, 2009
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How do you use the machine? Is it set further back than the pitcher?
We have the machine at the back of the circle. Always manned with a coach. Dead ball if its hit back to machine. Don't want a girl running into it. We run it around 35 mph.
