The NMAA is recommending the following pitch count restrictions:
• A varsity pitcher who throws between 1-40 pitches in a single day could pitch the next day.
• Between 41-60 pitches would require one calendar day of rest.
• Between 61-90 would require three calendar days of rest.
• Anything over 90 in a single game would require a rest of no fewer than four calendar days.
• A varsity pitcher cannot exceed 120 pitches in a game. If he reaches 120 during an at-bat, he will be allowed to finish that batter and then must be removed.
Some thoughts on this:
1. I personally think 120 is still too high for a high school pitcher. I would prefer to see the cap at 100.
2. It's the state tournament where we we see most arm abuse situations happen. This helps that some, but not enough. Up to now, we would see aces throw complete games (or high pitch-count games) Thursday and then come in again on Friday or Saturday (or both). That can still happen here - a pitcher could throw 60 pitches Thursday and then up to 120 on Saturday. If you want to solve that problem, you require two calendar days of rest after 41-60 pitches.
3. No more relievers pitching in both ends of a double-header. It also eliminates the temptation for a coach to bring in his game 1 starter to close out game 2.
• A varsity pitcher who throws between 1-40 pitches in a single day could pitch the next day.
• Between 41-60 pitches would require one calendar day of rest.
• Between 61-90 would require three calendar days of rest.
• Anything over 90 in a single game would require a rest of no fewer than four calendar days.
• A varsity pitcher cannot exceed 120 pitches in a game. If he reaches 120 during an at-bat, he will be allowed to finish that batter and then must be removed.
Some thoughts on this:
1. I personally think 120 is still too high for a high school pitcher. I would prefer to see the cap at 100.
2. It's the state tournament where we we see most arm abuse situations happen. This helps that some, but not enough. Up to now, we would see aces throw complete games (or high pitch-count games) Thursday and then come in again on Friday or Saturday (or both). That can still happen here - a pitcher could throw 60 pitches Thursday and then up to 120 on Saturday. If you want to solve that problem, you require two calendar days of rest after 41-60 pitches.
3. No more relievers pitching in both ends of a double-header. It also eliminates the temptation for a coach to bring in his game 1 starter to close out game 2.
