similar experience this weekend - mound was at 40 instead of 35. However, not that many pitches bounced. Not that many pitches were strikes either. (Rec league, opening weekend). Spoke with the other coach about it yesterday - neither of us thought it would have made much of a difference. Of course, my daughter stands on the rubber @ 35', looks at me, and says "this is SO much closer! Thanks a lot Dad!". The pitchers circle was already marked, probably from a HS game the previous day, that we never thought to check. Oops...