High school softball will undergo a major change next spring.
That’s because the NJSIAA officially approved moving the pitching rubber back three feet, from the current 40 feet to 43 feet, away from home plate, beginning with the 2010 season.
The NJSIAA softball rules committee said that the change was made upon the recommendation of the National High School Sports Federation in order to better prepare high school pitchers for college softball and to cut down on the pitching-dominated low-scoring games, encouraging more offense in the process.
But what does that mean for high school softball in Hudson County? We asked three of the more prominent coaches for their feelings about the rule change.
“It’s going to be a lot different,” said Tom Eagleson of North Bergen, who is the local coach with the most softball coaching tenure. “It’s definitely going to have a big effect on JV [junior varsity] pitchers, because they have a tough time reaching the plate now. It’s definitely going to make games a lot longer. For us, it’s not going to be a problem, because we have Carla [Arismendi] coming back, but if we had a freshman pitcher coming in, I’d be a little worried.”
Eagleson, whose team captured the final HCIAA Coviello Division championship last spring, said that he has concerns about local fields being altered to accommodate the new pitching distance.
“I bet a lot of coaches will bring tape measures to their games next year,” Eagleson said. “I just wish they did it earlier, because at least, we would have had the entire summer with pitchers learning from 43 feet. Now, we have to rely on fall ball being like spring training. If they voted on it earlier, the girls could have gotten used to it. Now, they’re being thrown into it. I think there are going to be problems.”
St. Dominic Academy coach David Majewski agreed with Eagleson.
“For the kids who already have difficulty throwing strikes from 40 feet, it’s going to make it much tougher,” Majewski said. “I’m also concerned about field management around the county and whether fields will be ready with the new distance. Can we have problems? Sure. And you won’t believe the difference that three feet makes in terms of breaking pitches. It’s like night and day. I think it helps develop pitchers reach the next level, but honestly, we don’t have many of those in Hudson County. I understand the reasons why they did it. I just don’t understand the timing of it all.”
However, Secaucus head coach Cheryl Bott likes the new rule. Bott also has a returning standout pitcher in Shannon Waters, who emerged last season as one of Hudson County’s best.
“I actually like the rule,” Bott said. “I think the increase in distance will help kids get ready for college and it will generate more offense. I know Shannon will be able to adjust, as will our younger pitchers coming in. I think the first year is going to be an adjustment year, but I think eventually, it will work out fine. Pitching has come a long way in the 20 years since I’ve played. Maybe this will encourage other teams to find more pitchers. It could serve as a wake-up call for everyone. I think it’s a good thing.”
However, Bott also questioned the timing of the new rule.
“I just wish they would have implemented it sooner to give the kids a chance to get ready this summer,” Bott said. “But the pitchers who go to work with private pitching coaches are already throwing from 43 feet. I don’t think it will be a problem.”
From a reporter’s perspective, the new rule won’t hurt the good teams with already solid pitchers. But it could turn the mediocre teams into poor teams and make the already poor teams even worse. Pitching is definitely the name of the game in softball and the new rule simply hurts middle-of-the-road pitching.
And be rest assured of seeing some football-like scores in Hudson County softball, like 28-14 scores, come next spring…
Union City’s Pound4Pound Promotions has already set up its latest boxing card, set for Thursday, August 27 at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
The card will feature local heroes light heavyweight Bobby Rooney of Bayonne (who will fight for the first time since the tragic death of his brother, Sean), cruiserweight Patrick Farrell of Jersey City and light heavyweight Jason Escalera of Union City, who is the toughest produce manager in the business.
The main event will feature promising welterweight challenger Mike Arnaoutis against Troy Browning in a 10-rounder. Arnaoutis (22-3) had an epic battle in 2007 against Paterson’s Kendall Holt in a WBO Light Welterweight elimination bout and he won his last fight on a Pound4Pound card in June. Once again, it should be a great night of pro boxing in Hudson County…
The high school football season is just around the corner and St. Peter’s Prep looms as one of the top teams in the area once again. The Marauders will begin the 2009 campaign against St. Joseph’s of Philadelphia at Rutgers Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. It will be the second game of a doubleheader, with New Jersey powers Piscataway and Howell locking horns earlier that day.
The Marauders will also begin the season ranked among the nation’s top 100 teams. One ranking has them listed as No. 96 in the nation. A few wins could change that in a hurry…
On a personal note, Jersey City lost a true gentleman last week when Eddie Egan passed away. Egan was a long-time administrator at Rutgers-Newark, but he will be forever remembered as a warm, affable fixture at the Park Tavern on West Side Avenue. Egan also graced the issues of Jersey City Magazine a few years ago, when there was a feature regarding the changing times in his beloved hometown of Jersey City. He was a good friend and always gave a warm smile and hearty handshake. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Mr. Egan… –– Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.