I'd prefer increments of 30, or something like that.

 

0-30= 0 Days

31-60= 1 Day

61-90= 2 Days

90+= 3 Days

105+ or 7-9 Innings in a day= 4 Days

 

I'd have to really sit down and think about it but I'd like a pitches or innings split.

 

Maybe something like this:

0-30 or 2 innings = 0

31-60 or 3-4 innings = 1 Day

61-90 or 5-6 innings = 2 Days

91-105 or 7 innings = 3 Days

105+ OR 8+ innings = 4 Days

 

Haven't put a ton of thought into it but something similar. Don't think it would be too hard to track. I guess it may penalize a kid who doesn't throw a lot of pitches but eats up innings.

 

Doesn't sound bad. I didn't put much thought either, I put something to see if anyone any ideas. I like the inning/pitch rest idea. I see how you're splitting it up in equal intervals, but I think the first section should be extended by 5-10 pitches.

 

Also, I just thought of a question. What about how many pitches in a week? Say a team has 4 games during the week. He throws 30 pitches in each game. 120 during the week. Then they have a tournament/game on Saturday, should he be allowed throw 105 pitches in that game? Or should the pitches be cummulative during the week? Say 105 for a week?

Not sure why you would use both pitch count AND innings pitched. If the concern is the protection of the kid's arm, then pitches thrown is the key stat to be looking at. But your breakdown of pitches thrown/day rest looks pretty solid to me.

 

You're probably right. One thing I think about is the number of times a kid warms up, throws, then cools down. Even if he gets through 7 innings in an extremely efficient 15 through 6 and 14 in the 7th, he warmed up and cooled down 7 times, at least. One start will not make that big of a difference but doing this a couple times a week for an entire season could take a toll.

 

Or, I'm an idiot...

You're probably right. One thing I think about is the number of times a kid warms up, throws, then cools down. Even if he gets through 7 innings in an extremely efficient 15 through 6 and 14 in the 7th, he warmed up and cooled down 7 times, at least. One start will not make that big of a difference but doing this a couple times a week for an entire season could take a toll.

 

Or, I'm an idiot...

 

No, what you're saying is reasonable. But also keep in mind that, in most circumstances, the pitch counts you have laid out keep a pretty tight handle on the number of innings a kid pitches and therefore also limits the number of times warming up. Obviously, there are exceptions - a very efficiently pitched 7 inning game - but those are probably somewhat rare at HS level.

No, what you're saying is reasonable. But also keep in mind that, in most circumstances, the pitch counts you have laid out keep a pretty tight handle on the number of innings a kid pitches and therefore also limits the number of times warming up. Obviously, there are exceptions - a very efficiently pitched 7 inning game - but those are probably somewhat rare at HS level.

 

To further clarify my line of thinking, those kids that are very efficient are the one's usually abused...

We can talk until we are blue in the face the rule will not change. It is not enforcable. Nothing is done now until the Districts start anyway.

As an umpire I see most high school pitchers beginning to struggle after 5 complete innings. Remember I said most not all. I would guess that is roughly 80 pitches. They lose velosity and miss spots. Pitch counts would also change how pitchers think on the mound. There will be a change how they waste pitches after getting ahead two strikes if they are on counts. More pitchers attacking hitters.

 

Check the large newspapers, most list number of pitches today's starting pitchers example:

Innings - Pitch count

6 - 94

5.1 - 102

7 - 98

7 - 114

6 - 93

6 -98

7 - 109

7 - 104

6 - 102

5 - 83

3 - 64 under current rules 0 days rest !!

6 - 97

6 - 105

6 - 87

 

You get the picture as these professionals will get 4 days rest before their next start, ice on their arm immediately, training room to massage tightness.

 

High school players - ice when they get home, often play another position - kills me to see the pitcher become the new catcher or the catcher to become the new pitcher.

I have been gone for the past few days and just found this thread.

 

I like the proposal and there are some good suggestions by you guys. I would hope that the KHSAA will follow the proposal and get this taken care of. I've seen a lot of young pitchers throw a lot of pitches that shouldn't have. Plus, I have seen where a team or two have over used their pitchers. if the form is approved, then that would take care of that.

Protecting a kids arm is what it is all about and the pitch count is most important not the number of innings pitched. The pitch count idea is excellent but how would it truely be enforced. I know the so-called better programs in NKY keep track of their pitch count and actually pull pitchers when the number gets to a certain spot depending on the time of season.

 

Great idea, now how to enforce it.

Once we finalize this concept, I'm going to present to Julian and get his thoughts. Please offer any feedback and suggestions, so this can be presented for consideration or rejection.