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Online now: 2 members: Donniesoftball, softball4b; 87 anonymousDiscussion: 300 + FIELD TAKE
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March 5, 2009 ROOSTER10 Men's 60 91 posts | 300 + FIELD TAKE If you went to the Winter Nationals in Fla. and played at the Naples Complex which are 325 foot fields-you saw that there was less home runs hit out.I realize that the norm is 300 and some complexes the fences are shorter than that- but with all the talk about balls,loaded bats what is the players take on Assoc.making the tournaments play on bigger distance field.How many areas have 300+ fields that they could use.Just curious on everyone's take? |
March 5, 2009 wagon487 Men's 55 578 posts | as an out fielder, they suck! that's a lot more ground to cover, effects my hitting, 300ft is fine with me |
March 5, 2009 amr-4-lc 47 posts | as an outfielder myself, and i may be, along with a few others an exception to the rule. i played at the winter nationals in naples and i loved the 325 ft. fences. not only did it allow me to run down more fly balls in the outfield, especially the gaps (here's the exception part - i still have been blessed with great speed even at 50, play in a premier league with kids 1/2 my age, and play cf on my church team, we play a 5 man infield and 3 man outfield, and play in a very competetive local open league). all that aside, i think 325 should be the standard in any league. with the advancment in bats and balls for the most part i don't think 300 ft fields are logical anymore. i do understand it's difficult for most if not all complexes (obviously $$$$) to accomodate 325 ft fences. but i have to admit it was a blast running around that expanded outfield. one side note, for the most part i think the true hr hitters will still hit them out. but for all you others on 325 at least i know i can run them down. for all you southern and west coast guys, how cool is it that you have such good weather. i'm heading down to cincinnati with my premier team next weekend for our 1st tournament. weather outlook 30-35 with snow flurries, but i'm happy to be playing, it's just @ my age i'll have to keep moving so i don't become frozen to the outfield grass. good luck to everyone this upcoming softball season. |
March 5, 2009 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | As a pitcher, I love 325 fences. It is a little bit of an equalizer for the hot bats. We play four outfielders so it is a little easier on them, but they liked the opportunity to have a chance to field a ball now and then since we play on a lot of 270-290 foot fields and its not very exciting watching a ball soar over your head and over the fence. |
March 6, 2009 DoubleL10 Men's 70 905 posts | Let's put on our "older guy" hats for a moment. We played in Naples in 2006 when it first opened. I still play the outfield and, let me tell you, you need several outfielders on your team to be able to keep guys from running their legs off on these big fields! Of course, when you are tired, it also affects your hitting. I remember 13 years ago when I was 50, the bigger fiedls were not even a concern; however, now everything is! We also played on the bigger fields in Bridgeton (310') and Watkins Park in Maryland. |
March 6, 2009 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | As a hitter I don't have a problem with the larger fields. I agree with LL that as you get older the running in the outfield affects the rest of your game. I'm just glad that I don't play outfield anymore. Maybe we should move the bases further apart and forget about messing with balls and bats and the PPR. 71-76 degrees here this weekend! |
March 6, 2009 Lefty Men's 75 721 posts | I would like a bigger field for I could get more doubles and triples and still a few over. We play the same teams most of the time you know most of the players so a larger field would be an advantage for an outfielder. As for a 270 field you might as well take out the ASA bats or double walls. Joe Lefty Falcon Birmingham 55's |
March 6, 2009 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | bash (Ruth 60's Official Communications Officer and full-time catcher) Just a thought from bash, a not so recent graduate of the University of Washington's engineering school back in the late 60's.....would it be better to move the 300' fence out 20' to reach the desired 320' or would it be easier just to move home plate back 20' against the backstop? LOL bashheadcase1 (Ruth 60's Kent, WA) |