[Gulf Coast Blue]

Mick has it nails on........

This is to help instruct the defense on proper techique without penalizing them for errant throws by an inexperienced catcher.

The offense knows the rule........if they take too much of a lead off.........shame on the 3b coach.

We have a rule in Kid-ball here-8U and below (and I love it).......the first play by any fielder that is thrown to (and hits the fence) in foul territory is a dead ball and all runners are advanced 1 base at the time of the throw.

IOW......F6 throwing to F3 and overthrows and hits the fence.......the BR can only get first..........all other runners are placed based on thier position at the time of the throw.

When my oldest started in this age group........eons ago (at least it seems that way........grin)......there was no such rule........

The typical coaching technique was to have the best player at pitcher and get the ball to her and have her run players down.........or whoever fielded the ball would run at players to keep them on thier base........there was NO throwing and proper mechanics were lost.

Now.......every team throws the ball........the girls learn to field/throw/catch/....etc.

Special rules such as this are put in to help in the development of the girls............not to place an unfair advantage on the offense or defense.

Even though I have seen some awesome ball played at the 10U level and below........these ages should always be considered DEVELOPMENTAL. There is a place for competetive ball in the younger age groups (ASA in the last 2 years recognized 10U "A" ball).......but we cannot forget the less developed players and should encourage rules that help them to develop.

Any rule that allows for the proper development should be encouraged.

Joel

[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Jun 25th, 2001 at 09:19 PM]