70' bases

[Andy]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

....Worked some games a couple weeks ago with 70' bases and there wasn't that much of a difference. It is only one stride of an adult in a running gait. I think it is more of a head game to some of these players than it is an actual effect upon the game.

Agree with the head game comment.....

One of the leagues that I work went to 70' bases for this summer season...much groaning the first couple of weeks by the players.

One guy got called out on a banger at first base, tells me that he would have been safe if the bases hadn't been moved back...I tell him that on the 65' basepaths, the infielder would have been in closer and the end result probably would have been the same....he had to think about that for a couple of innings before he figured it out.....

[ASA Ump MN]

I have noticed an increase in successful defensive plays made in the infield with 70' base's. It's just a small sampling so far but it really has brought some D back to the mens game IMO. The good players aren't playing much deeper if at all and the 5 extra feet is pretty substantial to be honest.

After umpiring one of our season ending SP tourney's up here that we play on baseball fields with 90' base's I knew I was going to like the 70's for slow pitch...