How much of an impact would it be to move the softball pitching rubber back three feet – to the college distance of 43 feet – in New Hampshire.

Florida instituted the change three years ago and Massachusetts went back to 43-feet last spring.  The NHIAA considered the change in the off-season, then decided to stay at 40 feet.

Merrimack just returned from a weekend jamboree in Massachusetts, where the rubber was moved back to 43 feet last year. Coach Dick Bean noticed no change in the game and said it wasn’t even discussed by his players.

The Tomahawks attended the same pre-season event on Cape Cod last year, played at the 43-foot distance, but didn’t realize it until they returned this year.

The change was first adopted by Florida as a safety factor, giving pitchers a little more time to react to balls hit back toward them and hitters added reaction time. It is supposed to increase both safety and offense.

Studies found doubles increased by 32 percent in Florida and home runs by 19 percent. It is also thought to enhance the short game, giving base stealers a little more time and making it slightly tougher for pitchers to field a bunt.

Oregon coaches voted three-to-one in favor of a three-year experiment to change the distance to 43 feet this season. They expect to see changes. We’ll have to wait and see.