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Right down the middle!



Hello everyone and a special hello to all the people who have been e-mailing and wondering where I have been.



I've been around here just trying to sort out a mess of things that have taken place since the last Bulletin of 2008.



This is the first Bulletin of Volume 8. In the first seven years of typing nightly bulletins throughout the season, I've covered lots of topics. It gets harder and harder to figure out what to type about and for fear of boring people or typing something just a few people might be interested in I just chose to wait a while longer this season.



Here's a good topic to discuss though. A new rule that could possibly be in place for either 2010 or 2011. Moving the pitching distance back three feet to 43 feet. I'd heard some rumblings about this topic during the season last year and it was one of the questions on the softballs survey that I participated in last spring from the NFHS. Those people who actually do read the stuff I typed last year and posted on the Wissports site might remember that I listed the entire survey in a bulletin.



I voted to keep the pitching distance at 40' and did so after talking with many of you. The overwhelming response I got from you was to keep it at 43'. In Coaching Management magazine from the end of the 2008 season had an article about the 43' pitching distance.



In that magazine article here is what NFHS assistant director Mary Struckhoff said, "This change might be inevitable, but the committee feels it just doesn't have enough information to make it yet. W'er hearing a lot from a relatively small number of coaches who are very vocal about either making the change or keeping things the way they are. But we really don't know how the majority of coaches feel about it. So we've asked the coaches to find out where their colleagues stand."



This also from the article in the magazine -- Although some people have promoted the change as a way to better protect pitchers from injury, Struckhoff says research shows it provides little advantage in avoiding a comebacker. "The additional time is a very small fraction of a second," she said. "There are other reasons as a pitcher gets hit by a batted ball, such as not being in a good fielding position."



Also from the article -- The rule change is intended to put more balls in play and get more players involved in the game. Struckhoff says the committee's biggest question involves the impact the change would have on pitchers with average or below-average skills. "We know highly skilled pitchers will adjust, but we're concerned about less-skilled varsity pitchers," she says, " Some people feel these pitcher will struggle with the longer distance, but we just don't know for sure."



Florida has experimented with the 43' distance under NFHS auspices, the committee feels there isn't yet enough data to evaluate the effect on less-skilled pitcher, in part because so many students play year round. Massachusetts implemented teh longer distance on its own in 2008, and Struckhoff hopes the committee will be able to analyze data from games played there. In addition, the NFHS is encouraging other state associations to experiment with the increased distance, but Struckhoff is unsure whether any will do so.



While the committee waits for more data, coaches have been asked to weigh in with their preferences through their state athletic association (that would be our WIAA) or state coaches association. "If a coac isn't willing to get involved in the process, ten he or she really can't complain about the outcome," Struckhoff says. "It's really up to the coaches now."



OK - So after getting e-mails and phone calls from many of you asking what can we do - I called Marcy at the WIAA office today and got some answers. It appears that there are many states that are ready to move the pitcher's plate back to 43 feet. Wisconsin coaches as well as our colleagues in Michigan and Minnesota are against the change. It it's a done deal, we still can vote "No" instead of yes and show our disfavor. If we lose in the voting we lose-- but we have stated our stance.



I also talked with Richard Frost, our WFSCA President. In tonight's phone conversation we chatted about a multitude of issues and I really enjoyed hearing his thoughts and ideas.



Here is a great bit of news. If you were not at the WFSCA clinic you may not be aware of the fact that the association has launced a Hall of Fame. Seven people were in the the first group of inductees, inducted at the clinic in February. Certainly they are seven deserving people. Check out their pictures and profiles on the WFSCA website at wfsca.org. I'll have more on the Hall of Fame and how people will be nominated and inducted in the future. Richard told me he'd get that to me very soon.



The season starts on Monday - warm weather and dry diamonds would be a great thing.



Keep it Rising!

Bob