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Should the softball fences be moved back?

Discussion in 'GatorGrowl's Diamond Gators' started by OklahomaGator, May 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM.

  1. OklahomaGator

    OklahomaGator Jedi Administrator Moderator VIP Member

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    Years ago most softball games were considered "small ball" games with a lot of bunts, singles, steals, and the occasional home run. Now it seems the game has evolved into "long ball" where you wait for someone to knock one out and hope you had someone on base.

    Should the fences be moved back some to try to get a balance of offense back in the game?
     
  2. Porschegator

    Porschegator GC Hall of Fame

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    According to Google the KSP fence is 220 at centerfield. The rules allow you to take it to 235.
     
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  3. jaxg8r

    jaxg8r VIP Member

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    Great observation, and question. I'm a big fan of Gator Softball and, to a lesser degree, the college game in general. I used to work with a guy who had a daughter that played softball in high school. He would occasionally get a little carried away and say what incredible athletes they were. To reel him in a bit, I'd remind him that college softball fields were typically the same dimensions as the fields my 12 year old son played baseball on. Fast forward to the current college softball power hitters. They are routinely 5'-8" or taller, and to be kind, not built like Falby. Notice how many power hitting DP's you see with full leg braces, likely torn ACL's. Which you'll never see in college baseball.

    But, to your question. Back how far? Five feet would allow for your tweak to the current game. But, leave room for the no doubter HR's.
     
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  4. OklahomaGator

    OklahomaGator Jedi Administrator Moderator VIP Member

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    I could see moving the fence at KSP back to 230. Try that and see what happens
     
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  5. OklahomaGator

    OklahomaGator Jedi Administrator Moderator VIP Member

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    The players have gotten bigger and stronger. It seems they are just hitting more home runs although I haven't looked at the data to see if it supports that opinion.
     
  6. johnny_cakes

    johnny_cakes GC Hall of Fame

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    I don't think moving the fence would phase Falby at all.
     
  7. johnny_cakes

    johnny_cakes GC Hall of Fame

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    Moving the fence would result in more Texas leaguers as well.
    I like the idea!
     
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  8. jhfxof

    jhfxof GC Hall of Fame

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    Most stadiums wouldnt allow moving back. giant scoreboards, lack of room etc... But.. you can go up..20-30 ft walls??

    Ive always thought an extra 3-5 feet in basepaths would make for a better game. More DPs, no beating out routine grounders to deep Ss, no 90% steal rates, etc
     
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  9. insuragator

    insuragator VIP Member

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    250 at least and a pitch count
     
  10. jhfxof

    jhfxof GC Hall of Fame

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    yep, on pitch count,, or some way they are forced to use a rotation.
     
  11. paidinfull

    paidinfull GC Hall of Fame

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    Changing the bats or balls or both would be a much easier “fix” for a problem I do not believe exists.
     
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  12. incoldblood

    incoldblood GC Hall of Fame

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    I say leave the game alone, it’s great as is.
     
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  13. jhfxof

    jhfxof GC Hall of Fame

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    Yeah Im not sure its a problem, more cyclical. Pitching not near as good overall as 5+ years ago.. Very few dominant aces now. If that trend continues, then maybe adjust something.
     
  14. gtr2x

    gtr2x GC Hall of Fame

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    Reminds me of my son's comments re college softball . " It's like watching adults play on a little league field.". Not wrong but that's the game.

    Clearly the hitters have become more dominant. Not that many Ks and low scoring games anymore. I would be more of an advocate for widening the strike zone or at least calling the zone as it s/b.
     
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  15. johnny_cakes

    johnny_cakes GC Hall of Fame

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    Maybe not that high, but this idea would be pretty easy to impliment. Interesting plan.

    That's baseball. In softball we like our speedsters, first/third strategy plays, the catcher pickoff throws -- having base runners make the game more interesting.
     
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  16. Kirby

    Kirby GC Legend

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    Dimensions should be the same as those in OKC
     
  17. mississippi_gator

    mississippi_gator Freshman

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    The bats are way hotter now as opposed to 5 years ago. My daughter is in 14u and you never heard of many home runs in 10-12u. It’s a common occurrence now.
     
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  18. iowagator

    iowagator VIP Member

    That stadium is 200 down the foul lines and 220 to center.
     
  19. tegator80

    tegator80 GC Hall of Fame

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    This kind of reminds me of the discussions made from time to time about raising the basketball rim from 10 to 11 feet. Not sure the game becomes an elitist one and not an everyone game. And yes, the pitchers who are incredible are pretty much elitist players. In fact, maybe moving the mound back by say 5 feet would help a bit.

    Just a spitball. Nothing more.