A pitch count is coming to high school baseball.
The National Federation of State High School Associations this week decided that member state associations will be required to put in pitching restrictions based on pitch counts.
Texas’ University Interscholastic League is a member of NFSHSA and is now working with it to figure out the best way to move forward.
“The UIL is working with the NFHS on implementation of the recently approved rule change regarding pitching limitations in high school baseball,” the UIL said in a statement. “The UIL Legislative Council and UIL Medical Advisory Committee have researched pitching limitations and its implementation for UIL member schools and recently brought a proposal to the June meeting of the Standing Committee on Athletics. The UIL is working with all stakeholders involved on a proposal for the Legislative Council in October with a planned implementation by the start of the 2016-17 baseball season to comply with the NFHS rule change.”
The number would be 95 for ages 14 to 16 and 110 for pitches 17 to 19 under the current proposal set by the UIL. It also mandates a day’s rest if a pitcher throws 31 to 45 pitches, two days if he throws 46 to 65 pitches, three days for 66 to 85 and four days for 86 to 110.
Not every local baseball coach is in favor of the possible new rules.
“I am not in favor of it,” Bridge City coach Chad Landry said. “My biggest question is how are they going to police it. Are we going to have to hire third party? Who is going to count the pitches? I just think this is opening a huge can of worms.”
Port Neches-Groves coach Scott Carter is also opposed to the possible rule.
“I am not opposed to a limit but the coaches already put one on our pitchers,” Carter said. “I don’t think they should mandate what we do. It is really based more on the kid than an age.”
Carter said he has a 16 year old who can throw 110 pitches. He also has seen older pitchers who cannot throw past 40 pitches and he knows when to take them out.
“We take care of our pitchers,” Carter said. “We have our own pitch count for scrimmages, tournaments, district and the playoffs. By then you know what a pitcher can handle. I don’t have answer to this. I think the UIL did the right thing by tabling their decision to do more research.”
Landry said he has looked into different studies to learn if the number of pitches equates to more injuries. He said from what he has read, he does not believe a higher number of throws means a bigger risk for injury.
“No research behind this points to a specific number of pitches that there will be more injuries,” Landry said. “The number of injuries has grown over the years but we have also already been more aware of the injuries and it has not stopped them. I compare it to a marathon runner who is training. Would you put a number on the amount of miles they run? It is the same scenario.”
Landry also said he once had a teammate at Nederland throw 167 pitches in a game. That same player went on to the majors and never had any major arm injuries.
“If a coach did that today that coach wouldn’t be able to make it out the dugout,” Landry said. “I compare this argument to the one about having seat belts on school buses.”
•
Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe