March 28, 200620 yr SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Steroids aren't to blame, but even the Little League is reining in its power hitters. Construction started last week to push the fences back 20 feet at the home of the Little League World Series, cutting the chances for homers and creating a more spacious outfield that should lead to more doubles and triples. ADVERTISEMENT The fences at South Williamsport's Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer stadiums will be 225 feet from home plate once construction wraps up in July. The distance to the fences was previously 205 feet at both venues. The decision to push back the fences is not intended to thwart a growing population of pumped-up 12-year-olds but instead give outfielders more ground to cover. "While home run production has remained fairly constant over the last several years, we have noticed there are few doubles and triples," said Joseph W. Losch, senior vice president of Little League Baseball and Softball. "This move, while probably decreasing home run production by a small fraction, will increase the possibilities for other extra-base hits." Over the last 20 years, the Little League World Series has seen 571 homers ? about one every 26 at-bats. But over that time there have been just 36 triples ? one every 406 at-bats ? and 502 doubles. Built in 1959, Lamade Stadium was 200 feet to the fences until 1996, when it was pushed back to 205. Volunteer Stadium, with 205-foot fences, was completed in 2001. The 60th Little League World Series is scheduled for Aug. 18-27. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060328/ap_on_..._league_stadium
March 28, 200620 yr Still nothing. Push the bases back and change the rules so that they are playing real baseball.
March 28, 200620 yr seriously wtf is up with the no stealing rule or you cant lead off untill the ball is in the catchers mitt.
March 28, 200620 yr becuz its only 60 ft and they get down the line very quick. its nothing once u step on the field so they gotta stick with those rules. good idea with the fences way too short to hit a homer and even doubles are rare sometimes. should make it more of a challenge imo
March 29, 200620 yr Over the last 20 years, the Little League World Series has seen 571 homers ? about one every 26 at-bats. But over that time there have been just 36 triples ? one every 406 at-bats ? and 502 doubles. i'd love to know how many of those 571 homers were inside-the-park jobs.
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