2010 Fastpitch ASA Rules Changes

Its about time to get going again. All the local coaches meetings are taking place. Tournaments are being announced and of course the rules changes have been announced. You may already be aware of these but here they are anyway.
These are just the major changes that most of us will be interested in and these are ASA rules. Other leagues have changes too and are similar.
For the 2010 season that started on January 1, 2010:
All age groups 16 and up will have pitching distance of 43 feet.
All age groups 16 and up allow the use metal cleats.
College players are no longer allowed to play at 18B or 18 Gold. 18A is allowed.

These are probably good changes. The pitching distance gives the kids a good start on college level play and all high schools are moving there this coming season also.
The use of metal cleats is kind of controversial because of safety reasons. Most players that I have talked to like metal cleats because of the added traction in the dirt. They also don't like the cuts that are much more likely. I always hated them as a player at second base when the runner came sliding in with those sharp things aimed at my leg.
The reason given for the college player exclusion at 18B and Gold was simply that there is no reason for those kids to be playing on high school age teams basically. This has been proposed for several years, mainly from the college coaches themselves. 18A was allowed because several teams already had girls on the teams and it would make it really tough to fill rosters at the late date. The rule will likely include 18A next year. They are trying to ramp up the 23U age group to give these players a venue. There is already a 23U but it is not as big just yet.
Anyway, those are the major changes for ASA. I'll try to post the changes for USSSA later.