Transitioning from 30' to 35' - pitching thoughts?

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Jul 23, 2015
27
3
I'm looking for some feedback and advice...

We are currently an 8u team with 30' distance and use an 11" ball.

All, but one, of our 2017 tournaments will be at 30'. The other tournament will be at 35' and would be the last tournament of the year for our 2017 season in late July.

We've also be presented with an opportunity to play in a league during 2017, but it'd be a 10u league with 35' pitching distance (continue to use 11" ball.) The local 8u league is not competitive.

1.) Would you play in the 10u league even though the pitching is 35'?
2.) If so, do we practice pitching all winter at 35'?
3.) How much of an adjustment is it going to be for the kids to keep bouncing back and forth between 30' on weekend tournaments and 35' on weekday league games?

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, or thoughts.
 

shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
We never played at 30', but at 10u we practiced at 40' during the off season. I think it helped the pitchers, don't be afraid to step it up a bit. It's coming anyway, might as well get ready. Wasn't a big adjustment from what I can remember
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Play and practice at 35' as much as possible. Making an occasional adjustment to a shorter distance is much easier than the other way around.
 

WARRIORMIKE

Pro-Staff Everything
Oct 5, 2009
2,815
48
At the Jewel in San Diego
Practice. When your comfortable with that, more practice. Encourage lots of leg and faster arm speed. Dont focus on strikes and balls until she is older. Mechanics are more important
 
Dec 3, 2012
636
16
West Coast
Probably take a couple times to dial it in at 35'. It isn't that hard to get used to and then when she goes back to 30' it will feel like she's right on top of the hitter. It can only help her when she pitches in 8U games.

Rinse and repeat when going up to 12U and 40' with a 12" ball. Start getting used to it the year before she will have to move up.
 
Dec 12, 2012
1,668
0
On the bucket
30' ? Can't say.

However,
35' to 40' was a little tough on DD because the movement meant everything was way out of the zone. She adapted in a couple weeks and all was fine.
40' to 43' was not noticed at all.
 
Jul 20, 2013
71
8
When we moved from 35' and 11" ball to 40' and 12" ball it took a couple weeks. But it wasn't as hard as I imagined it to be.

In your case it's only a matter of distance so it should be pretty quick imo. I think when dd was 8u and pitched a 10u scrimmage it was literally on the spot, no practice at 35'. She actually struck a batter out, albeit it was only an inning at the end but you know...it was fun and she just walked right up to the mound and did her thing...not really realizing it was farther. Just have fun with it and keep throwing hard.
 
Apr 14, 2015
35
6
South Australia
Yup my DD has always trained at the next distance up and the larger ball for spin/strength practice. 1 or 2 nights per week we go back to regulation everything and work spots (full workout). This has worked very well for us.

I must add that these sessions are short and sharp and only after post warm up mechanics drills are finished.


38' - 40' - 12" ball - 12u & u13
40' - 43' - 14" ball training tool - u15
43' - 46' - 14" ball training tool - U17 and above

I would recommend your DD has sound mechanics before going to the 14" training tool.
 
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