For the 2010-2011 season, the National Federation of State High School Associations, or NFHS, made one of the biggest rules changes in fast-pitch girls' softball history -- moving the pitching distance back from 40 feet to 43 feet. The high-school pitching-distance rule is now in accordance with the rules for college softball and Olympic softball. This rule change was not undertaken lightly; it had been under consideration for about 10 years.
NFHS
The NFHS is the governing body of state high-school sports and activities associations. The NFHS establishes and publishes rules for 16 different sports, including baseball and softball, for high-school boys and girls. It also administers programs in speech, theater, debate and music. More than 11 million high-school teens are involved in these programs.
2010 Pitching Rule
The long-debated pitching-distance rule was changed for the 2010-2011 season after successful experiments with the 43-foot distance in Oregon and Florida. Coaches were overwhelmingly supportive of the change, according to the NFHS. The longer distance changed the game in several profound ways. Pitching had dominated high-school softball in recent years, and the longer distance resulted in more balls hit into play and more scoring -- thus restoring a better balance between offense and defense. With more balls hit into play, there are more opportunities for fielders to become involved, thereby increasing the importance of fielding skills. "In a way, it's a lot more exciting," said one high school coach. "Hitters are going to get more hits and the defense is going to have to make more plays."
Other 2010 Rule Changes
Other softball rules changes mandated by the NFHS for the 2010-2011 season were relatively minor. Bat specifications were delineated to describe each section of the bat, in order to clarify requirements for both players and equipment companies. The number of innings necessary for a pitcher to be credited for a win was clarified. An exception to the hair-devices rule was added, giving players the right to wear unadorned bobby pins, barrettes or hair clips up to 2 inches long in order to control their hair while playing.
Softball and Baseball
In general, the 2010 rules of high-school softball and baseball retained their distinctiveness. Boys still pitch from 60 feet 6 inches, the bases are still 90 feet apart in baseball and 60 feet apart in softball, and the pitcher's mound is 10 inches high in baseball and flush with the ground in softball. Some rules between baseball and softball seem quirky, if not sexist. In baseball, a batting helmet face mask is optional but, in softball, it is required. A few rules differences just seem silly. Baseball coaches must be in team uniforms but not softball coaches. Baseball umpires' undershirts must be blue in baseball and white in softball.
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