Although most rule books indicate that the pitcher's mound be level with the rest of the infield, many fields do not conform to this standard. This is truly unfortunate. Girls practice their pitching art throughout their entire careers on flat surfaces -- usually in a gym-like environment. To be then asked to pitch from a raised pitcher's mound so that the same field can be used for boy's baseball is unforgiveable.

It's not safe and it's not fair to ask the girls to adjust to the difference. For some reason boy's organized baseball would never allow pitching from a level mound, but girl's aren't always afforded the same consideration.

If you have a young athlete who spends countless winter hours in clinics and with fastpitch coaches to master the complex art of fastpitch pitching, you certainly should voice your concerns whenever you encounter a raised pitcher's mound.

The same concern can be expressed by teams who drive hours to play a game only to find that the infield is grass. Our girls weren't taught to make infield plays on grass. The bounce of the ball is different and the timing is different. Expressing our interest in making fastpitch softball infields and pitcher's mound conform to the same standards will make the sport safer and more enjoyable.