Transitioning Between Softball Age Levels
Every two years, softball players at the younger age levels will be required to transition to the next age group. Depending on when you start your 10U playing career, each player will complete two seasons at each age level. The age levels range in some states from 8U-18U, with 8U being considered as “in-house” and travel ball starting at 10U. With any transition comes an adjustment period for the player, parents, and coaches. There will be rule changes that will need to be learned and applied, different ball sizes used and further pitching distances. The transition into a new age level can be overwhelming at first, but after taking the time to learn, adjust and practice the differences, the player will settle in and be well on their way.
One of the most drastic changes comes in the transition from 10U to 12U. The ball size will go from an 11 inch to a 12-inch softball. Luckily that is where the ball size will remain for the remainder of the softball players career. Most players transitioning at this age level will need to invest in a bigger softball glove to make room for the bigger ball. It is also common that players and parents invest in a new bat as well, so they can cover more of the plate.
Another significant change from 10U to 12U is the pitching distance. The 10U softball pitcher mound is secured at 35 feet, 12U will be moved back five feet and pitchers will be required to throw from 40 feet. A bigger ball and a further pitching distance can be a challenge for the first year pitchers making the change, especially if they are small. We call this transition year, “the growing pain year,” as it can often be frustrating for a pitcher who was dominant in 10U but may have trouble adjusting to the ball size or the pitching distance change.
There are always ways to get ahead when it comes to making an age level transition in softball. If you are a 10U pitcher who will be moving up, don’t be afraid to start practicing with a 12-inch softball sooner. This will give the player time to get comfortable with the size of the ball and how it feels when they catch it in their glove and how it feels in their hand when making a throw. A hitters timing may be off at first when they step into the box at 12U and have an extra five feet to work with, but after some practice reps, they will adjust.
There are also ways for pitchers to overcome the distance change at practice. Controlled distance pitching is an excellent drill for pitchers to incorporate into their first few pitching practices. Once a pitcher is warmed up, instead of starting at the new 40-foot distance, back the pitcher up to 45 or 50 feet. Encourage the pitcher to throw five to ten line-drive strikes from that distance and after completed, move the pitcher up to 40 feet. Because the pitcher was able to finish the pitches from even further, 40 feet will seem like the normal pitching distance.
When softball players transition from 12U to 14U, the most significant change will be the pitching distance. The mound will move back another three feet, from 40 feet to 43 feet, and that is where it will stay for the remainder of the player’s career. Again, hitters will need to practice and make adjustments in the box and pitchers will need to adapt to pitching from three feet further back. This transition isn’t as grueling as the 10U to 12U change, but it’s important that players, parents, and coaches prepare and put in the practice time in advance.
With any change comes an adjustment period. In softball, these adjustment periods can be frustrating for players, parents, and coaches. With every age level change, parents should be prepared to purchase the right size equipment for your athlete to help better set them up for success. Next comes the organized practice time by coaches as well as individual practice time outside of team practice by the player and the parents. Those who step up the plate and face the challenges of the transition head-on, will be the ones who prevail during the season.
