Sport Today

interesting, no quotes from any pitchers here, might or might not be true,
and the NFCA continues to bow to what the people don't want...

http://www.escribe.com/sports/alsfastball/m4448.html

http://members.aol.com/hillersb/

Bow to what people don't want ???

I don't think so.  I think most people want the 43 feet pitching
distance.  The game is too pitcher dominated at 40 feet at the top
levels.  It is a poor spectator sport because of it.  Moving the
pitching distance to 43 feet is for the good of the game in my opinion.

The question is, if and when with the international softball community
move to that distance ???

Sent via Deja.com
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I disagree. Look at the averages of the hitters in the WPSL. They had entire
teams that failed to hit over 200. All this indicates to me is another move
towards WPSL and away from the Womens Major program by ASA.

With the great showings by Japan, China and Austraila beating the USA team I
doubt if a change will be made. Why would they. They have caught up with the
USA. It would not be in their best interest to change to a distance that only
the Americans are used to and familiar with.

Not Signed.

FYI,

The NFCA has no standing on rule changes.  They can support or lobby opinions
for or against any rules, but that is the extent of their authority.

Mike Rowe  
DASA Deputy UIC  
Delaware Softball Umpire Assn  
NASO member  

This is old news, in fact very old.  This was approved at the ASA Council
Meeting in early November 2000.

I don't understand what you are talking about here.  In the latest NFCA
newsletter there was a comparison of the batting averages of the WPSL at
43 feet and 40 feet.  The offense went up considerably at 43 feet.
Womens Major and WPSL are now both at 43 feet.  I don't see how making
both pitching distances 43 feet is promoting the WPSL more than Womens
Majors.

I guess it depends on whether you think the glass is half full or half
empty.  Japan, China and Austraila still did not win the gold medal.
USA pitching still dominated their opponents.

Lets see, if I were Japan, would I want the pitching distance to stay at
40 feet where power pitching dominates the game.  Power pitching is
definitely the USA strong point. Or would I like the pitching distance
to go to 43 feet where speed is less important, the rise ball is not as
effective, less strike outs and pitching execution is a must and team
defense and speed pays more of a premium.  Yes, there would be more
home runs which would appear to favor the USA.  But I don't think the
decision is as apparent as you think it is.

If you don't consider the selfish aspects of the decision.  What would
be better to make the game a more spectator friendly sport and increase
the overall popularity?  Based on the domestic and foreign press
coverage, it appeared that the sports communities were all crying for
the game to be less pitching *** at the end of the Olympic games.

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http://SportToday.org/

I think it really isn't that bad coming from a pitcher and the starting
range is only 42' something" It gives us more of a range to break the
ball and every bit helps especailly if you are just starting out and
can't get it to break right away.

Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/

The Batting averages went up considerably???????  The numbers for the 4 teams
in the league were   209, 196,189. and 139. Thats a big offensive jump????  The
averages in college went up because the move to 43ft was for all D1 teams not
just a few. The great pitchers will still dominate. Seems to me that when the
move to 43ft took place at the college level Fernandez was still pitching and
"STILL" dominated.If we want baseball like offense move the mound back to 46ft.

It seemed to me like the pitchers from Japan, China and Austraila shut the USA
down pretty good also.USA LOST three games.

Strike out 25 and lose. A win is a win.

Better execution. I enjoyed watching Japan play defense. Too bad the left
fielder got her feet tangled up.

Did they cry about the lack of goals in soccer? No. Maybe the lack of knowledge
about the game hurt coverage. If you want baseball like scores play baseball.  

A change to 43ft at the international level will only hurt the teams other than
the USA. Cuba and Italy were able to compete because they had one good pitcher
each on their team. It kept the games close and competitive.

As far as the move in womens major ball is concerned I don't think its needed.
The only one it helps is the WPSL in their scouting and recruiting. Unless its
across the board in all divisions I question the motive.

Not signed.

to 46ft.

From the NFCA Newsletter from 40 ft to 43 ft.
League Batting Average:  .181 to .241
Hits Per Game: 4.6 to 6.6
League Average ERA: 1.16 to 2.25
Ks per game: 5.38 to 3.62
Shutouts: 25% to 12%

Lisa may have dominated, but Williams had a few rough outings.  2 run
rule games against Arizona and beat up by Michigan the next year.

If in your opinion it will not change much, then why not make the
change.  It appears to me it will increase some offense and fielded
balls without changing the integrity of the game.

I believe you are a little inconsistent here.  If the USA pitching would
still dominate at 43 feet then why would not Japan, China and
Austraila's pitchers?
A win is a win may be correct, but I would actually like to see a win in
regulation and not when you start with a runner on second.

Our second baseman made a pretty good throw on that ball off of our
pitchers leg too.

If every game in soccer went to overtime and was won on a shootout you
would see some complaining.

Again, you can't have it both ways.  If it will not affect the USA
pitching it won't affect the international pitchers either.  I think
there motive is based on the perception that the change to 43 feet is
needed and probably will be made for international softball as well.
Time will tell.  It was stated that it was something the players wanted.

Jazz, you appear to be a purist..which is alright with me.  If the pro
league and international softball is to grow, it will have to be more
spectator friendly.  If you don't care if it grows...that is alright
too.  But that is not everyones opinion.  I don't think going out there
and educating the potential fan base that a 1-0, 11 inning games with a
total of four hits and 40+ strikeouts is what they really want to see,
is the answer.

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I agree with the change.  The game is too boring at 40'.  Needs more offense to
keep it interesting.

I think what it boils down to is money.  To get people to go to these games,
there has to be some action.  The games referred to during the Olympics were
boring with very few games even having a score until late in the game.  This
leads to lack of interest and lack of money.  Everyone I know that aren't avid
softball fans and hadn't watched much softball before couldn't believe how
boring it was to watch.   Wouldn't go out of their way to watch.  The
pitcher-dominating game is only good for about 2-3 innings.

I got these numbers right off the WPSL website. While not saying the NFCA
numbers wrong something is out of sync.

Smitty lost two games in this Olympics also. And pitched her ***off.

I think that the great pitchers will still dominate the game. Lisa and Michele
will still be great. I do think the added distance will hurt the other
countries. All it would do in international play is help team USA.

I don't remember any big strikeout numbers posted by pitchers from these
countries. Only Lisa and Michele blew people away.

Softball has always been a low scoring game. I also do not like the tiebreaker
rule. I do however understand the logic and need for it. The move to 43 ft
however at the womens major division ONLY makes no sense to me.

Whole different topic. I guess Julie was right.

Not every game in softball went to tiebreaker. Lots of 1-0 soccer games though.

This is where your logic is wrong. USA pitchers are that much better that the
rule change would hurt the other countries pitching and HELP USA hitting. Its
easy to make changes when you have the best pitching in the world.

Purist??? Maybe. I would like to see different changes made to make the game
better.

Not signed