NEW LIFE FOR 18A
The ASA Council approved a resolution today which extends the pitching distance for 18A from 40 to 43 feet, effective with the 2008 season.
The one-line message contained no details on what actions, if any, the Council took on 1) metal cleats, 2) barring college players from Gold competition.
ASA officers indicated during Gold nationals their concurrence with opinions prevailing in the travel ball community that, to remain competitive, 18A had to pitch from the same distance as Gold.
This past year, fewer than 30 colleges registered in advance for the 18A national tournament.
Hopefully, college coaches will once again include 18A nationals on their calendars, and, the many travel ball teams who have entered Gold-level contests and not competed effectively will reconsider 18A as a viable option.
SPY is grateful to Maryland Commissioner Jack Mowatt for this heads-up.
UPDATED
RFH