Get ready for the pitch count rule in high school baseball. The governing body for high school sports, the National Federation of State High School Associations(NFHS), has revised Rule 6-2-6 to include pitch counts.

Each state association (Maine Principals' Assoc) will be required to come up with its own pitching restriction policy 'based on pitches thrown during a game and rest period between pitching appearances'.

The current rule in Maine and many other states is based on 'innings pitched', not 'pitch count'.

“We’re pleased that the rules committee worked in conjunction with the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to find an acceptable and reasonable modification to this rule in order to emphasis the risk that occurs when pitchers overuse their throwing arm,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and staff liaison for baseball.

According to the latest NFHS figures (2014-15 Year), there were 487,770 high schoolers playing baseball nationwide. Maine had 130 schools with baseball programs and 3,275 playing baseball.

NOTE: Little League baseball has enforced a pitch limit rule since 2007...

Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must
be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 21 - 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Pitchers league age 15-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must
be observed.
• If a player pitches 61 - 75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 46 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 31 -45 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

League Age/Pitch Limit:

7/8:    50 Pitches

9/10:  75 Pitches

11/12: 85 Pitches

13/16: 95 Pitches

17/18: 105 Pitches

 

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