Players entering the 13U leagues face one the biggest of all challenges that they have yet to encounter in baseball – the transition to the full sized (60/90) diamond.
Some issues that are common for players making the transition are:
- Some pitchers that were strike throwers at 46′ or 54′ may struggle with the extra distance (to the plate / catcher) or with their command of pitches at 60′.
- Early in the season we typically see a few more walks.
- Infield ground balls are outs – players need to get used to hitting line drives and LONG fly balls.
- Not only are ‘pop ups’ not home runs (like on the smaller fields) but 250 ft plus fly balls can also be outs.
- Batting averages drop significantly. Mentally this can be tough on the kid used to hitting .500+
- It will be harder for weaker hitters to get the ball out of the infield
- Players may initially struggle to get on base or steal with the extra distance between bases and bases / home plate
The transition to the big diamond is not easy, but the work players put in to get used to playing on the big diamond (like anything) it is completely worth it. It requires commitment… but in the long run so does anything worth pursuing. The good news is that the 13U season will be the hardest season players will face. The diamond is not going to get any bigger – however the players will continue to grow, get stronger and faster which should help the players to get better and better over time.
Those players who do have strength and speed will find that:
- Speed is now a bigger asset. On the bases and running down outfield balls
- Strength and power in throwing, power arms are a bigger asset. This is for both pitchers and fielders
- Quick release throws are a bigger asset.
- In many ballparks, due to increased distance behind HP, passed balls normally resulted in runners moving up at least one base.
- Good catchers are a bigger asset. Being able to receive, block, and throw.
The 13U Bulldog coaching staff will work with players to make the adjustments need to ensure that that need to occur quickly in:
- Pitching
- Throwing,
- Running the bases
- Fielding ground balls,
- Tracking down fly balls,
- Hitting – Learning how to hit effectively on the big field
This transition begins with the Bulldogs in the fall leagues. The object of this participation is not to record wins or win trophies but solely to allow players to become familiar with playing on the larger baseball diamond.
Familiarity includes both getting used to the dimensions of the 60′ x 90′ diamond and also focusing basic skill development such as hitting, fielding, pitching, base running, etc along with more advanced concepts that only apply to “big diamond baseball.”
Parents are asked be patient and supportive to players while they make this transition. By the end of the fall ball league, the 50/70 field will look tiny, and playing on the big field will not be such a daunting prospect.
Goals and expectation by the end of the 13U season:
- Middle infielders can consistently turn double plays and
- Players focus will be split 20% attention on situational baseball and 80% attention on skill development.
- Players know all defensive situations are understood and able to be executed defensive calls by the coach.
- At the plate, players will constantly drive the baseball into both left and right center field gaps.
- Catchers are throwing runners out at 2nd base.
- Pitchers are now mastering off-speed pitches (pitch count 60-80)
- Pitchers are throwing 65% strikes and can locate three pitches
- Players are prepared for 14U baseball.
60 / 90 Baseball Diamond Dimensions
There are some significant field dimension changes from those that 12U players are used to.
- Pitchers Rubber to Home Plate: 60′ 6″
- Base paths: 90′
- Home Plate to Second Base: 127′ 3-3/8″ (for catchers trying to pick off the steal from first base to second base)
- Minimum Fence Distance: 320′
- Infield Grass Area: 180 sq ft
- Infield Arc Radius: 95′
All of this means more area to cover, longer distances to throw and pitch fences that are much further away from home plate and base hits and steals are hard to acheive.
All of this also means that the games (as you know it) will change. There are greater spaces for hitters to find a hole to hit to. Greater space between the infield and the outfield. More distance between infielders and more distance between outfielders.
Baseball on the big diamond is still baseball, and because the Bowie Bulldogs teaches the fundamentals of baseball at all levels players can work on transitioning those skills directly to play on the 60/90 field.
We teach all of our players to play the game the right way – the fundamentals do not change – they are the same on the big field as on the smaller diamonds and translate directly. We believe that those players who continue to work hard on their fundamentals will be rewarded on the big diamond.