Updates from NSA Convention

[DrHeat]

Got an e-mail from our director with the following information.



16 Under will Pitch at 43 feet in Indiana as well as at the World Series.

14 Under is Optional at 43 Feet. Indiana will pitch from 40 ft.

Indiana has been allowed to run a pilot program for the 10 and unders. In tournament play they will be pitching from 40 feet with an 11 inch ball. The tournaments that will be allowing this will have it posted on the website. Again this is a pilot program so I will need your input in oder to see if this program will be successful or not.

The 10 and Under world series will still be pitching from 35 feet.

No other news at this time. If you would like to send me some input on these changes in our program please email to nsadirector05@yahoo.com.

[jefe]

Here's a photo of National Director Hugh Cantrell and everyone who cared enough to show up..... guess thats why they have email.

[slapperdad]

Having 10 year olds pitch from 40' makes about as much sense as having the dropped 3rd strike in 10U.

[Pridefpsb17]

Guess I won't be playing any NSA in IN. . .
Just like junior varsity in high school, kids who can pitch will be fine, but teams that don't will be part of blow out games. It will just furtther seperate the good teams from those who are average.

[slapperdad]

Having 10 year olds pitch from 40' makes about as much sense as having the dropped 3rd strike in 10U.

So i guess they are both good???
What's wrong with D3K in 10u?

Most of the posters on this website have DD's who can flat play. Unfortunately, they are in the minority. Rules that govern play should be made for the betterment of the game and the participants. By participants, I mean ALL participants, not the select few of a handful of jaded dads on some obscure forum. This decision I would assume is the same as moving high school to 43'. And while it does benefit select few, it doesn't benefit the masses in my opinion.

As far as D3K, I've seen some pretty good catchers in 10U, catchers who went on to be outstanding catchers, but the fact of the matter is, at 10 or 11 years old, I think you're giving the offense an advantage by having this rule. Skills are still being developed, if the pitcher gets a K, give her the out, don't allow a mistake by the catcher to cost her an out.

Again, these rules are for the masses, not just the showcase event you're watching your DD play this weekend.

[hsballer]

I vote no D3K in 10u or high school.

[lowrise]

I like both rules. Never liked my dd standing 30 ft from someone swinging a bat even in 10u. As far as 43 ft, we have been playing from 40 and 43 this fall and its hard to tell the difference. Most girls who you refer to as the masses are drop ball pitchers or basic four seam fastball pitchers. The extra 3 feet just gives the ball more drop at the plate. There not going to get hit any more than they already were. It will though expose a weak riseball and telegraphed change up.

[ntheknow2]

Most girls who you refer to as the masses are drop ball pitchers or basic four seam fastball pitchers. The extra 3 feet just gives the ball more drop at the plate. There not going to get hit any more than they already were. It will though expose a weak riseball and telegraphed change up.

Must be one of John's students parent, or did you figure this one out on your own.

[lowrise]

i don't post much on here but enjoy the forum. DD went to Chew for 2 1/2 years. Know who feld is never personal meet him.

[SnocatzDad]

One thing I don't like about rules that protect the catcher is the unintended consequence that coaches then start fielding a weaker athlete at catcher because they don't count on that positions for outs anymore. They will tend to put the best athlete ( after the pitcher ) at SS or 1B so that they will be involved in more outs and the catcher becomes anyone willing to put on the gear. This doesn't bode well for the transition to 12U when the catcher becomes the most important person on the field (other than the pitcher). Over and over again I have seen kids come up from Rec ball and transition to travel and the kid that thinks they are the catcher isn't in the top 50% in athletic ability and the kids who are tops are already locked into a "I'm not a catcher" mentality. Fortunately you can turn that around fairly quickly, but if you don't recognize it and allow it to continue your setting up a kid for failure and your doing a disservice to the pitchers your working with that spend so much time on self improvement that the least they deserve is for a coach to recognize that the catcher needs to be one of the best athletes.