The NMAA is in the process of adopting a revised pitch count rule. Under the new rule, at the varsity level, a pitcher may throw no more than 120 pitches in any three-day period. At the sub-varsity level, a pitcher may throw 105 pitches in any three-day period. The pitcher will be allowed to finish a batter if they hit the maximum limit (120 in varsity, 105 in sub-varsity) during an at-bat, but must exit the game after the batter.
This change appears to be directed at use of pitchers during tournaments, specifically the state tournament. Under the old rule, which had a 120-pitch limit per game plus some built-in rest requirements, a pitcher could throw 60 pitches on Thursday and then come back and throw 120 pitches on Saturday (180 total) or 40 pitches on Friday and 120 pitches on Saturday (160 total).
The rest requirements, it appears, will remain in place -- that is, a pitcher who throws 41-60 pitches one day still has to sit out a day before pitching again. In other words, a guy can't go 45-45-30 or something like that over a three-day tourney.
This isn't quite official -- the member schools still have to approve it. But the NMAA board is implementing the new rule immediately while the vote is pending.
This change appears to be directed at use of pitchers during tournaments, specifically the state tournament. Under the old rule, which had a 120-pitch limit per game plus some built-in rest requirements, a pitcher could throw 60 pitches on Thursday and then come back and throw 120 pitches on Saturday (180 total) or 40 pitches on Friday and 120 pitches on Saturday (160 total).
The rest requirements, it appears, will remain in place -- that is, a pitcher who throws 41-60 pitches one day still has to sit out a day before pitching again. In other words, a guy can't go 45-45-30 or something like that over a three-day tourney.
This isn't quite official -- the member schools still have to approve it. But the NMAA board is implementing the new rule immediately while the vote is pending.
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