This will be trialled at the C Nationals in 2008 but a number of leagues are also doing so in their lowest divisions as it helps the lady players. BSF will be helping leagues that agree to test this system by paying for some balls to be used.

Basically when a lady comes up to bat the 11" ladies ball is used - umpires will need to ensure the correct ball is used.

Do folk want this to be tested in D2 next year?

Surely a decision for those teams in Div 2? baseball_shocked:

Opinions sought from all and a decision taken at the captains meeting next year - probably by the D2 teams since it affects them.

It may very well end up happening in some Tournaments in the future having been tested at the highest level with favourable feedback so could affect anyone.

Would it not be better going back the 150 foot line or a 200 foot line making it fair on the Female who would have had a base hit if the outfield stayed at an outfield distance ? The Manchester League use it and lost of USA comps/League still use it...

This is a trial of a new system some are looking to implement - we don't have to do it - BSF have asked for leagues / Tournaments to take part.

There is no 150ft rule so we should not be using it and unless you have lines markedit cant be fairly used.

I believe Manchester are looking at removal of this as they are the only folk in the UK using such a idea.

Just in case folk are confused ... which I think some may be !! We are not proposing using a "giant" ball to help the ladies hit it easier.

Ladies ball - 11" - smaller, lighter, easier to field & throw and the ladies can hit it further

Normal Ball - 12"

Chicago Ball - 16" - This is the one you saw at the 1-Day tournament and not the one we are planning on using.

Changing this trial idea - so we can get the idea out for testing to as many as possible in the league with as little hassle as possible for umpires having to cart around 2 sets of softballs. Will do this at the ESL 1-Day event.

Softball Ireland adopts 11" ball for female players

Following consultation with teams, all Softball Ireland league and tournament competitions for the 2008 season will use 11" softballs when female batters come to the plate.

Softball Ireland first introduced the 11” ball for women in their Cup competition last year, with a view to using it in all games in the 2008 season. The Cup competition was chosen so that the trial would not affect league standings if the experiment was a failure.

But the 11” ball had its desired effect, which according to Irish softball stalwart Brian Connolly, was to “level the playing field a little in favour of women and give them a little more confidence in hitting, while pushing back those outfielders who like to sit 20 feet behind the shortstop when a new or inexperienced woman gets up to bat.”

Discussions at the Softball Ireland AGM in November 2007, plus a team survey, produced a 3 to 1 majority in favour of using the 11” ball for women in all competitions for 2008 and beyond. Many privately-run tournaments in Ireland have expressed an interest in doing the same.

Brian Connolly says, “If you are planning on playing in Ireland this summer, be warned that the 11” ball will be used and outfielders better take a few steps back!”

The BSF may be going down the same road, but more slowly, with its decision to subsidise trials of 11” balls in tournaments in Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and London this year. The system of alternating 11” and 12” balls for female and male batters will also be used in the European Slowpitch Championships in Southampton in July and in the World Series tournament in September.

BSF Slowpitch Officer Roger Grooms said, "The BSF is disappointed that no league has come forward to trial the ball in league play this year, especially as balls were available courtesy of BSF funding. It is hoped that those leagues putting on tournaments using this ball will receive positive feedback and will want to trial it in league play.

"The decision by Ireland to move with this, which will also help prepare their national team for the European Championships, will hopefully be seen by people in this country, and as such, will convince more people that this is a positive step to take."

Thought I'd mention my experience with the 11" trial from the Mets First Ball this weekend.

In my opinion... it was almost pointless!!

Decent females players were able to hit the ball marginally further and with more "pop"... however... the fielders are able to throw the ball faster and further too, so we were making outs at first from left field!

Less confident females players found the ball harder to hit and there was no difference in distance, but with the ball being lighter the infield can throw faster back to 1st and more girls were out because of that.

For timed games it slows the action down, so you get even more marginal on time.

So... a good idea... but as far as I can see it doesn't solve any of the "problems"!