Is it time to change the field in FP?

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Apr 12, 2010
192
0
Oregon
Don't make the field bigger. The "art" of small ball is already rapidly disappearing, it seems to me it would make it even worse. It's basically gone in baseball, in a much bigger field. Reason? Because the thrown ball travels 3-5x faster than a human being depending on the situation.

Soften the ball up. When we have to, we play a local tourney circuit that has mush-balls...yes they start out at the standard compression, but since they're the cheapos, after getting beat around a few games, they soften up and won't travel off the bat as well. The sound is apparent, and so is the distance.

Allow the big companies to keep dancing around the bat standard; balls are cheap in comparison.

But I agree, it is time to make some more tweaks.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
Slow pitch women's plays with an 11 inch ball and I didn't like it. It made me feel like they thought that we couldn't play with a 12 inch ball. Up until a few years ago 12U LL played with an 11 inch ball. Those big girls that were almost 13 were whipping that ball around like it was a grape.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Slow pitch women's plays with an 11 inch ball and I didn't like it. It made me feel like they thought that we couldn't play with a 12 inch ball. Up until a few years ago 12U LL played with an 11 inch ball. Those big girls that were almost 13 were whipping that ball around like it was a grape.

Pick up a baseball. Now THAT is a grape.

I don't know the answer to this - but I would believe a 12" ball is easier to hit than a 11" ball. I would think it would give a bigger target for your eye as a batter but I am unsure on just how much of an effect it actually has.
 

Coach-n-Dad

Crazy Daddy
Oct 31, 2008
1,010
0
I am in the "Leave the field alone. If you want longer base paths go play baseball" camp. I do think there should be better limits on equipment and MUCH STIFFER PENALTIES for those who break equipment rules.
 
Jan 31, 2011
453
43
I am in the "Leave the field alone. If you want longer base paths go play baseball" camp...

This is my opinion too. The game will be slower. Sorry you can justify it all day long by comparing to SP, but 5 more feet to first base completely changes the game. Small ball is the equalizer. You have "big girls that hit ball far"??? Well, my little girls can keep us in the game with speed. The term "speed kills" applies directly to the pressure put on an infielder when a great bunt or slap is in play. The 5 extra feet reduces the pressure on the defense and will stop the short game almost immediately.

I literally am saddened that NCAA D1 offensive strategy consists so much of the long ball. Move the fences back and turn many of those dingers into outs. Moving the fences will produce more hits and less HRs by giving the OF more area to cover. That would be a nice start. More regulation on the hot bats would also be acceptable to me.

I love softball because of the speed of the game. Defensive masks protect the kids and help the aggressive corners combat the short game. When I coached 10U, BA was less important to me than putting the ball in play and put pressure on the defense. From the very start, kids realize FP is all about speed. If your kid is petite, she can still be a stud on any team if she can lay down a nice bunt or learn to slap effectively. The speed of the game allows kids of every size to succeed. Messing with base distance will change the game.

No more moving the runner to 2nd base with a sac bunt. No more tag and score on a deep hit ball.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Well, I'm really disappointed at the lack of confidence everyone seems to have in the players. But, question asked, question answered.

Thank you
 
3

3sDad

Guest
Nobody said we didnt have confidence in the players...
You want smaller balls and a bigger field...then play SP...or what do they call it...modified slowpitch...If a few people bowl 300...will they make the lanes longer...and BTW...you throw a hard 11in ball with the added power from the speed of the ball....you'll need longer fences

It is what is..or what it isnt...its not baseball, and THANK GOD its not slowpitch....Leave it alone....


Well, I'm really disappointed at the lack of confidence everyone seems to have in the players. But, question asked, question answered.

Thank you
 
Jan 31, 2011
453
43
Well, I'm really disappointed at the lack of confidence everyone seems to have in the players. But, question asked, question answered.

Thank you

Confidence has nothing to do with changing rules of a sport. It has all to do with a desired outcome.
 
Jan 24, 2009
5
1
I've been a proponent of 65' bases for quite a while, in fact I organized a few year end tournaments using 65' bases as an experiment. These were men's teams and we also moved the pitching distance back 2' (from 46 to 48) and allowed base runners to leave the bag when the pitcher's hands separated, or when the pivot foot leaves the rubber, whichever comes sooner.

Here's what I discovered:

1. The extra pitching distance went almost unnoticed. With the extra 2', the additional movement made up for the increase in distance/time. Strikeouts and hits remained about the same.

2. Speed became a bigger part of the game. A speedy runner could usually steal 2nd and sometimes 3rd due to the advantage gained in leaving the bag a little sooner. One player commented "it's a track meet out here."

3. Pitchers who crowhop had a natural disadvantage as the runner could leave sooner.

4. Much easier to turn double plays.

5. Far more plays at the plate as it's not as easy to score from 2nd on a single.

6. A lot more emphasis on defense, less of a pitcher's or power hitter's game.

7. More difficult to get the lead runner on base. (I concluded this is the only disadvantage to the bigger diamond and the reason I discontinued the experiment....)
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Well, I'm really disappointed at the lack of confidence everyone seems to have in the players. But, question asked, question answered.

Thank you

No one said anything about player confidence. There is nothing fundamentally 'wrong' with the game that I feel requires a huge major change to how the field is laid out.There is just no need to change the field when a simpler solution exists.

The way I see it, the bats are too hot and the ball is too hot for today's bats - since changing bats is hard (and not something you would want to do and annoy manufacturers), make the ball deader and the game returns more to how it was before every other 14 year old can clear the fence.
 

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