Raise the Mound and Level the Playing Field

by Ronster22 on Jan 9, 2008 4:07 PM EST in New York Yankees News

Like most everyone else, I've gotten tired of the Mitchell Report, the incessant who's taking what and how it has adversely affected the game. Don't get me wrong, it has. But when I hear so-called journalists lamenting about how steroids and HGH have distorted the game, when I hear Rich Gossage plead with those who have taken the drugs to "come-clean", and restore a level playing field I laugh.

You see, the playing field was forever altered when, on December 3, 1968 MLB voted to lower the pitching mound from 16" to 10". This act, I contend has done more to alter the game of baseball than any amount of HGH. Before I get into my reasoning, go back with me to 1968--peace, love and all that. In the baseball world, 1968 was "The Year of the Pitcher". Both league ERAs were scant 2.98. The National league was averaging only 3.5 runs a game, and batting averages were plummeting with attendence.

League officials taking note of the wealth of flamethrowing pitching talent on the scene decided it best to literally "level the playing field" by dropping the mound's height.

Almost immediately, runs, batting averages, era's and attendence jumped. So too did injuries--to pitchers.

By lowering the mound, the great minds of the game lessened the leverage which allowed pitchers great and small to throw with higher velocity and less strain. "A flatter throwing surface severely taxes the shoulder," says a noted orthopedic physician.

Over the last 40 years, players have seen dramatic improvements in training techniques, nutrition, etc. Players today are stronger, faster, and more explosive than ever. Pitchers, who are still throwing off a 10" mound, are being asked to get these hitting behemoths out--an increasingly difficult task as the playing field continues to skew toward the hitter.

The time has come to raise the mound to 13" to level the playing field. Such a move would restore the balance of power. It would also create a greater plane of leverage--allowing for greater velocity with less strain. Less strain would translate into less injuries.

Forget about HGH and what it has done to taint the great game we love. Raise the mound to 13" and truly level the playing field.

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I think it's rare

for fringe baseball fans to have the same appreciation for a pitchers duel as they do a blowout with tons of home runs.

I agree that the advantage is clearly with the hitters right now and I would love to see the mounds raised up a little.

Some of you know that I worked as a groundkeeper at the short season A level for a little while. One thing that used to drive us crazy was first year professional pitchers. These kids had been used to pitching out of a hole ever since they were little leaguers, so as soon as they got up to the mound they would start digging with their cleats.

Now mounds are different in different places, but in auburn it was made of hardened clay. Two inches underneath the clay we laid down fresh brick every year. Those little bastards dug all the way through the brick during PFP one day and we had to lay new brick down for the next series.

It always amazed me that the pitcher was given the advantage to stand ten inches higher than the player and he would give any of that up. I am told that by the time you get to AA or AAA the pitchers don't tear up the mound nearly as much because they grow accostumed to throwing on a near perfect mound, but I have to take those peoples word for it seeing as I have never made it onto any other mound than our own.

Eleven wins in October...

by Edwantsacracker on Jan 9, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions

I agree with you Ron

What kind of middle ground would you take? 12 inches? 14?

I think the comment about injuries is worth considering. Throwing overhand might be the most un-natural action in sports. If raising the mound 3 or 4 inches could reduce even 50% of the arm injuries we see each year then the MLB Player's Union should start working to force a change.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 10, 2008 2:11 AM EST reply actions

Not sure ...

what the percentage of injuries a raised mound would curtail, but in talking with guys like Leo Mazzone, and several noted orthopedic surgeons, all agree that raising the mound--even a few inches to say 13" would cutdown on catastrophic arm injuries.

What I find particularly interesting is the fact that since 1968, there have been tremendous advances that benefit hitters, but nothing to help the pitcher. In fact, one could argue that the game is headed towards a type of tee-ball situation.

With body armor, questec, and the inability to pitch inside, pitchers have no advantage whatsoever, and I believe it's to the detriment of the game. Raising the mound to 13" (just three inches) would save pitcher's arms, and help restore the balance of power that has been so grossly distorted these last 40 years.

I really feel that this is something doable that would make the game better.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jan 10, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Pitchers mound

I am old enough to remember the days of the higher mounds. You had some great pitchers back then...as you do today. But now days you have guys coming to the plate with all kinds of body pads helmets gloves etc., The pitcher can't throw inside, the mound is lower, the batter is bigger and stronger with no fear of you coming in on him. They should raise the mound to 13". Give the pitchers a chance to pitch longer in the games and with less stress on the arm.

by ken777 on Jan 10, 2008 11:23 AM EST reply actions