It’s official, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association will move the pitching rubber back three feet for the 2011 softball season.

The announcement was made Thursday by NHIAA Executive Director R. Patrick Corbin. The NHIAA By-Laws mandate following all rules changes adopted by the National Federation of High Schools Sports Associations, which is making the change from 40 feet to 43 feet this coming spring.

New Hampshire is waiting a year to give all its schools a chance to plan for the new distance.

Florida went to a 43-foot rubber, the college distance, several years ago, mainly for safety reasons on balls being hit back toward the pitcher. It also had the desired effect of increasing offense in a traditionally low scoring game.

Massachusetts made the change two years ago with positive results.