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Online now: 2 members: Donny Boy, Joe1; 9 anonymousDiscussion: Maybe a dumb question on the new strike mat
| Posted | Discussion |
| Feb. 8 Gary Heifner 248 posts | The new rule says a rectangular mat that will be placed over home plate and aligned at the front edge. Does this mean you will not see the white home plate. If it covers the plate does that mean a batter will not have to defend as large a landing area and will the pitcher actually have less area to land a strike on???? |
| Feb. 9 Fred Scerra Men's 80 542 posts | Right you will not see the real plate anymore. No you will have more area to cover and for the pitcher to hit as they are adding 1" on each side and 2" to the back. Having pitched both I didn't like the bigger mat/plate I would have to say the batter gets the advantage, especially hitters that hit to RC and R. It also helps pitchers that don't have much control |
| Feb. 9 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | All I know is that if they add 2” to the back of the mat they had better make sure their umps call the over 12’ illegal pitch. Anything over that will be an un-hittable pitch for people that are short. Or, if they want to make the mat bigger they should get rid of the box. If a person steps on , or in front of the plate, they would be out. The more I see these rules changes every year, the more I think the people that are involved in it either have their own agenda, or they don’t understand what this game is all about. It’s SLOW PITCH softball. You are supposed to hit the ball. 95% of the people that play don’t even think about taking a walk. If you’re trying to lessen balls up the middle, why make the mat longer? And, you’re going to end up with more balls up the middle when pull hitters, who are uncomfortable doing anything but pulling the ball, have to hit an outside pitch they are worried will catch the now wider mat. Why not try the rule changes in a limited format at a few tournaments before foisting it on all the people in our organization? Better yet, show us that you deserve being in your positions by using some common sense in making these decisions. |
