Yes, softball fans, 43 feet is already making a difference
There has been one overriding theme to the start of the high school softball season.
Forty-three feet.
And yes, it is making a difference. Scores are elevated so far. Many early games have been 7-6, 6-5, 10-9 type scores instead of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. Hitters are lovin' it. Pitchers are adjusting to it and defenses are learning they have to be ready with every pitch.
The biggest adjustment in going from 40 feet to 43 is on the pitchers. Strikeouts by fastball won't be as pronounced as they've been in the past. Strikeouts will now have to come with some craftiness involved and that means pitchers will need to work on their off-speed and breaking pitches now more than ever.
The change in pitching distance approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations and the IHSA this season will affect different pitchers in different ways. Many of the seasoned pitchers, like Bartlett's Callie Dennison, already have extensive experience pitching from 43 feet in the summer. But many others have little to no experience at 43 feet and will have to adjust as the season goes on.
Probably the biggest thing I've noticed so far is hitters taking a more aggressive approach at the plate, as they should.
It's a whole new ballgame out there and it will be interesting to see how things change as pitchers become more accustomed to 43 feet, as hitters make their adjustments, as defenses strive to play better and better, and as the weather gets warmer.
We'll say without hesitation that the best teams will still be the best teams, but we'll also predict that those teams who don't make the necessary adjustments soon will be left in the dust.
Rule changes needed?: For the life of me I can't figure out why the IHSA doesn't mandate that on-deck hitters warm up on the opposite side of the batter at the plate. When a left-handed hitter is up, the on-deck hitter should be in the first base circle and with a right-handed hitter up the on-deck batter should be on the third base side. This takes the decision to allow this or not out of the umpire's hands and it only makes sense for safety purposes. Safety was one issue in moving the pitching distance back and where the on-deck batter warms up should be a no-brainer.
Another interesting thought in the rules change department is tryouts. South Elgin coach Jason Schaal has made it no secret he's going to lobby for softball tryouts to be held in the fall, and he has a point. Softball and baseball are the only outdoor sports who have their tryouts held inside. Sure, central and southern Illinois schools have a good chance of holding tryouts outside but not here in Chicagoland. Schaal's point makes sense and he now has precedent to use as an argument as the IHSA cheerleading season allows for tryouts for next year's squads this spring.
Jacobs quad: Jacobs will host a round-robin tournament next Saturday that includes South Elgin, Hoffman Estates and 2008 Class 4A champion Lincoln-Way Central. Games will be played on the JV and varsity fields at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Jacobs takes on South Elgin in the final round at 2 p.m.
Around the horn: The IHSA is scheduled to release sectional assignments for the postseason on Monday. ... The two local tournaments - the Chicagoland Challenge hosted by St. Edward and the Larkin Slugfest - are again set for back-to-back weekends at the Elgin Sports Complex. The Chicagoland Challenge will be Saturday, April 17 and the 17th annual Larkin Slugfest Saturday, April 24. ... The seventh annual Dave Fehlman Memorial Senior All-Star Game is scheduled for Monday, June 14 at a site to be determined. The Fox Valley Renegades have dropped their sponsorship of the game, but the Northern Illinois Lightning and Fox Valley Sports Academy, primary sponsors of the event, intend to continue the game, which includes graduated seniors from 18 Fox Valley area high schools. The organizers are seeking new sponsors to help defray the cost of the event so that it can remain admission free. Interested parties can contact me at the e-mail address below, or by calling (847) 812-1522. The event is also supported by the Daily Herald.
jradtke@dailyherald.com