Blocking 11" vs 12" balls

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Starting to mix in a 12" ball for my 10U pitcher. I'm noticing the 12" doesn't really hop up on the short pitches as much as an 11". When we move up to 12U, do the 12" balls tend to stay down more than an 11"on those 38' pitches? I know spin will greatly effect things, but is a lower hop / skip something to prepare our catchers for?
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
As pitchers get older and produce more speed. Pitches tend to have less arc and flatter trajectory.

Majority of dirt pitches stay lower to the ground. Also some instead of bounce, can skim do to spin. Spin can also affect pitch in the dirt to go left or right. Drop spin can tend to "chip" into the dirt. Produces sharper upward bounce.
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Thanks for your insight. I only have a bumpy lawn to compare it against, but have noticed more "skimming" with the 12".
 
Mar 6, 2016
383
63
League we play the 11 ball (10u) is RIF-10 ball. Meaning its made of softer materials inside and bounces more. The 12 ball (12u and up) is usually a Dream Seam ball and is much harder so it "skips" more.
 
Apr 1, 2017
535
93
League we play the 11 ball (10u) is RIF-10 ball. Meaning its made of softer materials inside and bounces more. The 12 ball (12u and up) is usually a Dream Seam ball and is much harder so it "skips" more.
The rec league in town uses the "bouncy" balls. I hated them when watching my daughters games. Every game I would see players afraid to get in front of a "grounder" becuase the things bounce all over the place.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top