Pitch count rule could help Kentucky high school baseball players avoid overuse injuries | NKyTribune

 

The crux of what has changed this year...

If a pitcher in a varsity game throws 76 or more pitches in one day, he must get three calendar days of rest before pitching again. If the pitch count is between 51-75, he gets two days of rest. If the pitch count is between 26-50, he gets one day of rest.

 

Before each game, the home team must designate a pitch count recorder to keep track of the numbers, including balls, strikes, foul balls and balls in play. After the game, coaches for both teams sign official KHSAA pitch count forms and add them to their records.

 

Each team must keep all of its forms until the season is completed. If a violation of the pitch count rule is reported to the KHSAA, a team must provide copies of the forms. The use of an ineligible pitcher due to the restrictions will result in forfeiting the game and additional penalties.

 

In addition the State Tourney has been lengthened to allow more rest for pitchers.

 

Thought it was time to freshen up this discussion...http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-baseball-high/khsaa-adopts-new-321853.html

Maine considering changes as well:

 

Maine doctor among proponents of high school pitch limits

 

At least three states have adopted pitch limits at the high school level, with Delaware and Vermont already employing such restrictions while Alabama will switch from innings pitched to pitch limits beginning next year.

 

USA Baseball has published recommended pitch-count restrictions for various age groups, with guidelines for ages 15-18 requiring no calendar days of rest for zero to 30 pitches in a day, one day of rest for 31-45 pitches, two days of rest for 46-60 pitches, three days of rest for 61-75 pitches and four days of rest for 76 or more pitches, with per day limits of 95 pitches for 15- and 16-year-olds and 105 pitches for 17- and 18-year-olds.

 

“The easiest thing to do is to follow the USA Baseball guidelines,” said Heinz. “Nobody knows what the actual number is, and the reality is the actual number is different for every pitcher. If you look at the Red Sox pitchers, each one has a different pitch count they adhere to, and that’s because they figured out they could throw up to that level and if they throw more than that, they’re going to have a sore arm.

The wise man that coached my oldest in knothole always went by 5 pitches per year old. Made pretty good sense to me. Hated when a few other coaches had kids who were throwing the whole game just to get the W.