legitimate gripe or whining

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May 6, 2015
2,397
113
after DDs game last night (LL 10u), DW informed me that the opposing coaches griped a little about our pitching "mound", but was not certain of specifics.

trying to fathom what they might have to grip about, I came up with a few possibilities. the field is used for 10u, 12u, and 14u, all with different pitching distances (35, 40, and 43). rubber for 43 is permanent, rubber for 35/40 is removable. we have "mushroom" plugs when a set of anchors is not in used. the anchors are slighly below ground level, so if plugs are in, and dirt raked around, just the top of the plug might show, and it is rounded, so no tripping hazard if mostly buried.

so we are using the 35 foot anchors. when I prep field, I normally rake dirt around rubber and wet it down to try to get is mostly level (surface and top of rubber). I also normally fill in inevitable divot in front of rubber, and wet this all down some to get it to kind of set (I do all this first normally), and do same for right hand batters box and catchers area, try to level it and wet it to hold it in place a little. I did not prep field this night, and I notice the rubber is above the dirt (ie like it was just resting on top, rather than anchored, but not really sticking up (rubber is about 1 inch thick). and there is a small divot in front.

I have seen much worse fields in our district, was wondering if anyone thought a situation like that was a cause for concern? I know DD kinda likes the rubber up a bit, kind of gives something to push off on.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
You put a lot more into it then we do.

DD got tired of the trench diggers so she she joined them. :)

Wait until thier DD pitches from 43' with a permanent plate set in the ground at 40'.
 
Jul 19, 2014
2,390
48
Madison, WI
Things like that bother some pitchers more than others.

I am reminded a bit of the notorious floor of the old Boston Garden, when Larry Bird would spend hours finding every dead spot on the floor to give himself a big advantage during home games.

Weird setups might be a bit of a home field advantage as well, and the home pitchers would be more comfortable.

OTOH, some pitchers will just deal with it no matter what. My DD 3 seems to do well in adverse conditions. Doesn't make her a better pitcher in ideal circumstances, just makes her the go to girl when the field is bad.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
You put a lot more into it then we do.

DD got tired of the trench diggers so she she joined them. :)

Wait until thier DD pitches from 43' with a permanent plate set in the ground at 40'.

This one is the absolute worst and dangerous and should frankly be outlawed

to OP if the distance is right and it is not out of the ground (so that the is space under the rubber) or buried and the divot in front is less than six inches deep call it a win!

p.s. I forgot to mention in line with the plate...don't laugh
 
Last edited:

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
Definitely whining. Pitchers better learn real fast to put up with varying conditions of the circle. Unless there is a legit safety issue suck it up.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I wouldn't worry about every non specific complaint my dd heard from a member of another team. If its a real issue they will mention it to the ump, and if the ump thinks its a real issue he/she will bring it to the home team. Otherwise its just talk, and maybe its a jackass coach trying to get into the head of an opposing 10 year old pitcher.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
Wait until thier DD pitches from 43' with a permanent plate set in the ground at 40'.

My 16U plays at our Rec. Fields where our little league plays from. We have 2 rubber pitching plates per field - 40' and 46' nailed (removable) into PERMANENT WOOD BLOCKS underground. So when we play, we'll dig up the 40' mound and measure to 43' then nail into the ground, but trying to get enough dirt to cover the block in front so someone's stride doesn't step and cause an ankle to twist will be a pain.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Definitely whining. Pitchers better learn real fast to put up with varying conditions of the circle. Unless there is a legit safety issue suck it up.

I tell the girls I work with to go out and find the worst pitching circle they can find to practice in. To practice in the wind, rain, cold and heat. They need to learn how to handle the ball in every season.
 
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