Oddly, the same group that runs this complex, runs another complex as well. These are the fields where all the adult leagues play, and they have ample foul areas (10-12 ft.) and do not require on deck batters to leave the relative safety and comfort of their dugout areas to go on deck.
The other fields that I am talking about are strictly where the kids play, and as I have noted, the ODB is required to use the circle behind the batter, regardless of the situation such as a switch hitter...etc. The only exception to this, as I noted previously, is when the local high schools play here. They do not have the same requirements for them.
As far as if there have been any studies done to show that this step actually reduces injury, I am not sure. Honestly, I think that it is really a
PR move....looks good to the parents that their child is so obviously well looked after when they are at the ball fields. Just a hunch....
There, does that have the engineering part of your brain going into convulsions???
