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Online now: 3 members: 3_SoftballFreak, TABLE SETTER 11, TimMcElroy; 200 anonymousDiscussion: Pitching screen preferences
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| May 14, 2018 Turbobob Men's 65 71 posts | Pitching screen preferences Our 65 plus local league is looking at using pitching screens to protect the pitcher. I've seen a variety of the screens and want to get feedback from those who use them and the best over all type to use. The "L" shaped ones with a 3 foot cutout are 6 foot minimum width. The straight ones without a cutout start at 3 feet wide and go up to 6 feet wide. All are 7 feet high, which is not an issue. Most rules allow the screen to be at or up to 4 feet away from the pitchers mound, with the end of the screen somewhere in line with the pitching mound. Based on those rules, do the pitchers prefer the straight or L shaped screens? Which type have the batters complained the most about, straight or L shaped, knowing the screen width cuts into the hitting lane and carries a penalty if ball hits the screen? (Of course pitcher safety is paramount to having the screen, and I realize this). |
| May 14, 2018 sbswat24 Men's 50 15 posts | I would think that the straight one would be best, I know that's what they use in Fla. Only need for L shaped is for overhand pitching plus you run the risk of walking into the area that's not covered and getting beaned. My two cents |
| May 14, 2018 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | I have never seen an L shaped screen used in softball. Seems unnecessarily bulky, interferes with pitchers who like to release near the ground, heavy to set up and break down, etc. As sbswat24 said, it is designed for overhand pitching. I have pitched with a mandated screen for the pitcher for 18 years, ever since a pitcher got plunked in the chest with a hot shot (more dangerous than getting hit in the head some doctors say). The simple, straight, 7-foot high screen is easiest to carry, to store, to set up and break down. The screen needs to be four feet in front of the rubber since the supporting legs extend behind it and can be a danger for the pitcher's feet and mobility if any closer. Our league allows the screen to be set farther away than the edge of the pitching rubber and it is a personal preference by pitchers. Some who like to pitch from 55 or 60 feet move it back closer to them. Lefties position it differently than right-handed. I like to field ground balls so I like it farther away from the pitcher's rubber line; less mobile pitchers cover half the rubber since they are comfortable just peering around the edge when releasing the ball (the safest use). During these 18 years of play the screen is much less of an obstruction than fielders at first perceive. Third basemen worry about hitting the screen on a throw to first; outfielders worry about hitting it on a throw home; both of these worries are negligible. Playing about 100 games per year with a screen, a third baseman hits the screen about once every couple of years—usually on a foul pop up trying to double a runner off first; an outfielder about once or twice a year. These occurrences are for 3600 half innings of play a year! The main issue you will have is what to call a batted ball that hits the screen: live ball? dead ball? a foul ball? A foul ball only the second time it happens in a turn at bat? A dead ball out if it happens twice at bat? Each rule has its advocates. |
| May 14, 2018 Fred S Men's 85 297 posts | If you are getting a screen for league play the only one to get is the Pitch Safe. A little expensive but well worth it. Easy to store as they fold into easily carried case, easy to set up and tear down and very durable. |
| May 14, 2018 TexasTransplant Men's 70 516 posts | We use a rigid, 4" x 7' screen in league. We are able to simply chain it to the backstop between sessions. I provides significantly more protection than the PitchSafe. My BP group uses it PitchSafe and it is hard to beat for mobile use and if you have to break it down and store it between sessions. |
