WCWS Field Dimensions

[jth1959]

I agree with the Florida Gators post, very exciting games this weekend. Umpiring was, well, inconsistent . I have to question the size of the field at 190' down the lines. Granted there are many great hitters on these teams but when you are hitting opposite field "pop-ups" that are just clearing the fence I think the field is too small. Makes for great TV but shouldn't the fence be at least 205'-210'? A bigger field wouldn't have effected all of the homeruns as many of them were up bleacher shots. But it certainly would keep some of those opposite field "pop-ups" in the park. A bigger field sure would have made a difference yesterday.

[SkinnyFats]

Watching the actions of the Florida player who hit the game winning grand slam was funny. Her first reaction was , "crap, pop-up". It certainly wasn't, "Wow I got all of that one!" Next thing you know, game winning HR.

Fences are too short IMO.

[jth1959]

I did see the reaction. Crap, I popped it up. Oh wait it has a chance. Wow, that thing went out! I'm a hero!

[Missinit]

Seeing 12's clear a fence at that distance you would think they would make it a little more challenging at D1 level.
Go to 250' so when it's out you know it's because they put a good swing on it.
The bleacher shots still would have been out but the miss hits would have and should be outs.
It would also give more credit to the big hitters when they put it out.

It's kinda like a line drive turning in to a home run on a field with no fences.

[Wooahhhh]

I think the bare minimum is a warning track for the outfield. I would assume the large majority of schools have a warning track on their sb fields, but nothing on the main ASA stadium field? that doesn't look right. Also, 4' high fences is a little short, but it's always great TV to show the fielder going up and over.

[0to60in2.5]

Hmmm....Florida's home field is 200' down the line. Alabama's is 200' down the line. Most high schools we play at are 200' down the line. What were the 2008 Olympics, 220'? 200' should be the minimum in my opinion.

When the ball came off the bat, I said, 'game over' thinking pop up. Atleast I got the 'game over' part right.

[Coach11]

I've mixed feelings on it....don't get a whole lotta TV coverage of softball in this neck-of-the-wood.....so this is the only time of year I get to watch college ball.

Not a fan of the pop-up HRs.....but at the same time, watching last nights game, when a ball slapped down the 3rd base line went for a triple. Move the fences back another 20 or 30 feet and THAT becomes a HR.

Granted the fielder misplayed the ball a bit.

[Nzane]

I agree. It's 220 to center in Oklahoma. Should be 200 down the lines...

[Nzane]

Seeing 12's clear a fence at that distance you would think they would make it a little more challenging at D1 level.
Go to 250' so when it's out you know it's because they put a good swing on it.
The bleacher shots still would have been out but the miss hits would have and should be outs.
It would also give more credit to the big hitters when they put it out.

It's kinda like a line drive turning in to a home run on a field with no fences.

250' would open up the game more. Outfielders would have alot more ground to cover. Yes, it would take away homeruns, BUT, there would be ALOT more doubles and triples, which, in my opinion, would make the game even more exciting and entertaining.

[MTR]

From the NCAA Softball 2009 Rules and Interpretation:

2.10 Fences
It is highly recommended that the playing field be enclosed completely by
permanent home-run and sideline fences at least 6 feet high. If a temporary
home-run fence is used, it must be secured so as not to collapse on and
displace the foul pole. For an unfenced field, an out-of-bounds line shall be
used to define dead-ball areas. The distance to the home-run fence should be
a minimum of 190 feet in left and right fields, and a minimum of 200 feet
in center field. The distance to the home-run fence should be a maximum
of 225 feet in all fields.

The NCAA sets the fence distances. There is no warning track because this is played within another field with has a fence distance of 305'. That might be just a little deep for NCAA softball

It is going to be real interesting to see how ASA adjusts between the World Cup games and Battle of the Borders SP series to be played in the stadium in the middle of the World Cup games. I have a feeling some of those plans are still on the planning board.