It's a whole new ballgame
One yard makes for a whole new ballyard.
So it's doubtful that Warren fireballer Kayla Hurd will strike out 19 batters in a game this spring, something she did twice last season.
Then again, maybe she will, even though she'll be throwing a full stride further away from home plate.
"I've been practicing all year and (during) summer ball, too," said Hurd, who whips riseballs and hits 60 mph on a radar gun. "So it hasn't affected me at all."
Kayla Hurd, you've been heard.
Softball is a game of inches - 36 new ones at the high school level in Illinois this season, in fact.
The IHSA finally did what it had to do and pushed the pitching rubber back the exact length of a yardstick, from 40 feet to home plate to 43 feet. Which makes perfect sense since college pitchers also pitch from 43 feet away.
Be prepared for higher-scoring games and longer ones.
"I like the change," said Lakes coach Bill Hamill, who's not alone in his opinion and whose Eagles boast two-time all-conference pitcher Shannon Cooley. "I knew it was coming (eventually) because if girls want to play at the collegiate level, they're looking at 43 feet. So I don't see any reason why they shouldn't pitch from 43 feet at the high school level. It's definitely going to put the ball in play more."
That's good, because offense in any sport generally makes for more fun.
The sacrifice is, we won't see so many of those pitching gems that feature strikeout (one out) after strikeout (two outs) after strikeout (three outs).
We'll see more scores of 10-4, good buddy, instead of those 1-0 games that are over before your car's engine has cooled off.
You'll be walking back to the parking lot after games and instead of the baseball game on the adjacent field being only in the third inning, it'll be over.
Forgot about getting home for dinner by 6 o'clock. Better tape or DVR "House" or "American Idol," as extra innings could mean a nice 2 1/2-hour game.
It's for the best, though.
We need offense. No offense, defense. It should be harder for Antioch ace Olivia Duehr to do in your offense, no?
"I think it kind of levels the playing field a little bit," Libertyville coach Mary Tiegs said of the extra yard pitchers will literally have to go to throw. "It becomes a hitter's game."
"I think it's fine," Vernon Hills coach Paul Weber said. "The only thing is, in the game of softball, the people who really have an advantage are the slap hitters. (Being able to slap-hit) is a huge advantage because (first base) becomes a shorter distance. The pitcher's velocity changes slightly (pitching from 43 feet) so the (slap hitters) have more time to see the ball.
"Nothing has changed for them."
Pitchers can't say the same. Three feet does make a difference. Ask any football team that's come up a yard short.
The good news is, the IHSA didn't spring the change this spring. The rule change was instituted after last season.
"I think it's just an adjustment period," said Warren coach Carri McGahan, a former pitcher herself. "It was nice that (the IHSA) let us know so far in advance that the girls could prepare for it all summer and into the off-season."
The pitchers will survive. Their riseballs will rise, even if their ERAs also shoot skyward.
"I practiced with my pitching coach, Ken Stilley, so I've been working on (throwing from 43 feet) all winter," Grayslake Central sophomore pitcher Claire Brennan said. "But it does affect the speed and how much your pitches move. You have to get a lot more (velocity) on each pitch so that it can make it there."
Hamill will manage the same way, noting his players still have to catch the ball, throw it, hit it and run the bases.
Weber knows the Kayla Hurds, Olivia Duehrs, Shannon Cooleys, Claire Brennans, Megan Melines, Rachel Tacks, Megan Matteras, Allie Micuccies, Brie Brugionies and Kayla Stoses will still get hitters out.
"The good pitchers are still going to be good pitchers," Vernon Hills' coach said. "It doesn't matter if they're throwing from 70 feet."
Seventy feet?
Better DVR the 10 o'clock news.
jaguilar@dailyherald.com