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WHEN TO MOVE UP TO 90 FEET?

AcademyDadAcademyDad500+ posts
==

Since some people are bored, and since so many of the threads lately seem to be centered around that "awkward" 13/14 age group... let's bring up the pro's and cons of one of my favorite subjects.... field size.

Yes ladies and gentlemen.... SIZE MATTERS !

Both of cadKids played 2 years of U14 on an 80ft diamond. Some call it Pony. There were taunts and jeers from the Babe Ruth League participants, but we experienced years of 6-5 ball games that were in control, with 275ft fences where the Dinger was still in play (instead of having to run out a HR that rolled 650ft). All big league rules on stealing, etc were in play, far fewer walks, kids could actually throw from 3B or deep SS. Would we do it over again? You bet... course it helped that the best travel ball in the area was in our 80ft league...

Now, let the argument begin....



cadDAD

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L lafmom5,000+ posts
My son went to playing 90 ft as a 13 year old. I do think he was at an advantage initially because he had played pony and as 11-12 year old played on 70 ft paths, so the leap wasn't as big as the kids that jump up from 60 ft. However, in the end... they catch up. Thirteen year olds are big enough and need to begin to prepare for HS ball and I think the 90 ft bases are important.
floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
I think that the biggest adjustment for a 13 year old team, especially those comming out of little league is the huge difference between pitching from 46' to 60'. That can be tough on a young arm. I liked the AAU model which I think for the 13 year olds was the transition to 50' mound and 75' base paths. We only played that 1 year, but it gave the kids the ability to grow and get stronger, reducing, especially for pitchers, the likelihood of overstressing their arm. Many here may frown at 13 year olds throwing curveballs and such, but they were throwing them at 46' in little league and many will try to throw them at 60'. That I believe can place alot of stress on a young arm.
When our AAU team was broken in half with the older kids moving up to the 60/90 and my younger Son (who was playing up) had to stay behind on he 50/75 field, I was a bit unhappy, "knowing" my Son could handle the move. Coaches who were more concerned with the health of their players prevailed and we split the team and rebuilt into two seperate teams. In hindsight I am happy the our Coaches had the best interests of our kids at heart. Most have moved on to be the top performing players throughout the county.
Last edited by floridafan
C cong1,000+ posts
My son made the jump last fall, he was still 12 but the league was playing up to 13 for the fall (as many leagues do)

I was impressed how most of the team made the jump from 50/70 to 60/90 rather well. The biggest difference I saw was how many singles to right turned into 9 - 3 outs because of that extra 20 feet. Smile

To that same problem, yes stealing 2nd was way down, most young arms more easily handled the increased throwing distance, while the feet could not make up the increased base paths so easily Wink

Also, those lights out speed ball pitchers where now hitable at the new pitching distance. Strikeouts were way way down!
Midlo DadMidlo Dad10,000+ posts
The basic problem is that the LL diamond is just too small for today's advanced youth players. I would go so far as to say that it is unsafe.

Our travel team played at 46/60 through age 10u, then at 50/70 for the 11u and 12u years. We looked into playing at 54/80 as 13u but couldn't find any opposition willing to do it, so we bit the bullet and went on to 60/90 at that point. There were some struggles at first but the kids rose to the challenge.

The jump to the adult field is made so much easier if you've been playing 50/70 the two years prior. It's amazing how much difference those extra 10' on the basepaths make.
F family32110+ posts
As 13U we did 56/80 and this year at 14 we are doing the 60/90. It was an adjustment last year. Hits didn't seem as great and kids were getting thrown out all the time. Speed of a kid didn't seem to matter as much. This year will be I'm sure even more of an adjustment. They do say these years are the hardest for the kids to adjust.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
The jump to the adult field is made so much easier if you've been playing 50/70 the two years prior. It's amazing how much difference those extra 10' on the basepaths make.

Absolutly right Midlo. The only problem is the "footprint", and renovation cost issues. Many small fields are shoehorned into an existing space. On the other side, unless an organization had an abundant number of 90' diamonds you would be you would be taking away from many to apease a few. I feel that this is going to be one of those issues that most will agree on, but physical limitations will hold back an accross the board changes.
Last edited by rz1
20dad20dad1,000+ posts
untill my oldest son went to cooperstown for the first time at 12 yrs old,i didn't know this stuff exsisted. i think at 12 maybe 11 kids should play at the pony distance 50/70. with baseball rules instead of LL. babe ruth offers an 80 foot league,but most towns don't use it. i think the sooner kids learn the leading ,stealing etc.that it can only help them learn the game.
as far as field size it may keep kids playing longer? in our town we go from LL to 90 feet. huge transition and humbling to most.i'm talking about all the kids not just the elite players. they will make it at any size field,but in my opinion the longer these kids can play ball,it keeps them out of trouble.doesn't work all the time, but often enough.
ND Novice Dad100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
The basic problem is that the LL diamond is just too small for today's advanced youth players. I would go so far as to say that it is unsafe.


Agree with unsafe but I don't know if todays advanced youth players are any different that yesterdays advanced players.

I think LL's date change for "12" yr olds has increased the risk.

I'm sure the 50/70 or 54/80 helps the 13u but I'm use to 60 or 90...not sure how I feel about the steps in between.

Of course watching LL 13-14 yr olds can be painful to watch.
20dad20dad1,000+ posts
i'm not sold on the field size as much as the rules that go with them. i think at 12 they could start to lead and steal. teach pitchers the stretch etc.
i'm not a real smart guy, but we teach spanish in fourth grade because it's easier to learn at a young age. but we don't play real baseball rules untill they are 13? i realize it would be ugly to see at 9 but by 11 or 12 ? maybe? other sports don't have drastic rule changes at a certain age but baseball does?
gratefulgrateful1,000+ posts
I believe strongly, and have for several years, that 13-14 year olds should be playing at or around 54'80'. If any of you have seen kids this age play at 60-90, there is no such thing as 'playing at double play depth' because they play out of position ALL THE TIME. Their arms are not strong enough, their running speed is not fast enough. There are, of course, some '(physically) early maturers' who can handle the big field, but a small percentage of kids fall into that category.

From a coaching standpoint, the positioning of the defense, timing of every play, ability to execute things fundamentally correctly are just done much more efficiently on the smaller field. I believe that kids learn better this way and are able to experience more immediate success on the 80 foot field.

I will never feel differently until all kids are physically mature at age 13.
Last edited by grateful
W windmill100+ posts
I've posted this a few times in the past when similar discussions took place:

At 11-12, we played 75/50, bunting, stealing, leads, pitching from a stretch, etc - real baseball on an intermediate sized field. This gave them 2 yrs to get comfortable with these rules additions, while on a field more appropos to their size.

When they hit 13, they are on the big field - summer leagues as well as 7-8th grade Jr High team [also when the -3 bats kick in - 13 in the summer, and 7th grade at school].

The only thing more ridiculous than watching a 12-13 YO man-child playing on a 60/45, is a 14YO pitcher who has no clue how to pitch from a stretch, because he spent the last 2 yrs playing Babe Ruth/LL as an overgrown giant on a pee-wee field.

I like the progression from 60-75-90...gives them a chance to get comfortable with the rules and to grow into the big boys field.
Last edited by windmill

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