Prep softball preview

FIVE STORY LINES

1. Will the rubber retreat? On a national level, there is growing support for moving the pitching rubber back from its current distance of 40 feet from home plate to the college distance of 43 feet. Florida took that step in 2004. Massachusetts approved the move last spring. In Minnesota, there is support for the move among Class 3A schools, but the majority of smaller schools want to keep things the way they are. "We polled the teams in the state and that's what we found out," said outgoing coaches association president Paul Virgin. "If the National High School Federation adopts [the change], we'll go along, but we're not going to support any movement to move the rubber back at this time."

2. Top pitcher, top team: Largely because of the short distance from the rubber to the plate and that one pitcher can throw every game if needed, teams with one top hurler are often the ones vying for a state title. Want to know who's got a chance to win in Mankato in June? Check out the ERAs and the strikeout totals.

3. Heavy metal: The National High School Federation has decided to allow softball players to wear metal spikes this year. In the past, softball players were only allowed to wear plastic or rubber spikes. "I admit, I'm a little worried about players getting cleated," North St. Paul coach Sean Hall said. "But some people say it could cut down on injuries from slipping in wet grass."

4. Statistical imbalance: The Lake Conference is generally considered the premier softball conference in the state. But rarely does the Lake have an offensive player among the metro leaders. Why? It comes back to pitching. Virtually every Lake team has at least one top pitcher. Know this: If a Lake player is among the metro leaders offensively, she must be a very good player indeed.

5. Fences wanted: The coaches association is expected to make sure all softball fields have outfield fences within the next three years. "Twenty-nine percent of games in Minnesota are played without an outfield fence," Virgin said. "No fence makes it a completely different game. I don't know of any baseball field that doesn't have a fence."

10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

(Listed alphabetically)

Genna Bock, Centennial, sr., P: 16-3 with a 0.42 ERA and 218 strikeouts.

Calli Brennan, Henry Sibley, sr., SS:

Hit .482 with nine doubles in 2007. Had a fielding pct. of .971 -- only four errors.

Alex Chichila, Woodbury, sr., P:

Four-year starter was 20-5 last year.

Kari Dorle, North St. Paul, jr., C: Arguably the most feared hitter in the metro. Hit .435 with six HRs and a .738 slugging pct.

Chelsey Durland, Orono, sr., P: 23-2 with a 0.43 ERA and 252 Ks in 178 IP in 2007.

Sam McGee, Bloomington Jefferson, sr., P: Workhorse pitcher is crafty. A first-team all-state selection in 2007.

Sara Moulton, Eagan, so., P: Was dominating as a freshman (17-3, 0.28 ERA, 228 Ks) and should be better this year.

Elizabeth Murray, Park of Cottage Grove, sr., C: Led the Suburban East with a .439 BA. Had four HRs, threw out 10 runners stealing.

Jenna Peterson, Hopkins, sr., P: Three-year starter, 13-4 with an 0.45 ERA, 118 K and only 18 walks last year.

Rose Tusa, St. Anthony, sr., P: 22-3 with a metro-leading 320 strikeouts and a 0.37 ERA in 185 IP.

10 TEAMS TO WATCH

Eagan: A super sophomore in Sara Moulton. Lost only four players to graduation.

North St. Paul: Defending Class 3A champs are an offensive juggernaut. Must replace departed starting pitcher Nicole Kelley.

Centennial: Strong up the middle, with pitcher Genna Bock, catcher Kristen Heimerl and center fielder Kayla Blom.

Woodbury: Lost five starters from 2007's state tournament team, but there is Alex Chichila.

Park of Cottage Grove: Always in the mix. Four return that hit .400 or better.

Burnsville: Plenty of offense. Can sophomore Taylor Mackey and freshman Kelsey Anderson step up as pitchers?

Hopkins: Seven starters back. Gutsy Jenna Peterson in the circle. Poised to repeat as Classic Lake champions.

Stillwater: Sixteen returning letter-winners. Plenty of speed. Two pitchers will have to share duties.

Bloomington Jefferson: Shortstop Rachel Brummer and pitcher Sam McGee were first-team all-state selections in 2007.

Orono: Presence of Chelsey Durland automatically makes them good; an experienced lineup makes them dangerous.

JIM PAULSEN