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UIL expected to implement pitch counts by 2017 season
By Adam Coleman and Danny Shapiro
Updated 12:34 pm, Thursday, July 14, 2016
The National Federation of High School Associations has directed its members, which includes Texas' UIL, to implement a pitch count for high school baseball players amid a recent increase in arm surgeries and concerns about injuries.
The University Interscholastic League has discussed a possible pitch count restriction since a medical advisory committee submitted a proposal in April.
The UIL released a statement late Tuesday night in response to the NFHS mandate, announcing the state agency was working with the organization to implement pitch count limits "by the start of the 2016-17 baseball season."
Whatever the "magical number" needs to be on pitch count limits per game is up to the state member associations. Under the current proposal for the UIL, that number would be 95 for pitchers ages 14-16 and 110 for those ages 17-19. The proposal allows a pitcher to be back on the mound the next day if he threw 30 or fewer pitches. A day's rest would be required after 31-45 pitches, two days after 46-65, three days after 66-85 and four days after 86-110.
Right now, the only limitation under UIL rule is that a pitcher can't throw more than 10 innings if he pitches in more than one game in a day.
Some area coaches said they already have pitch counts.
Port Neches-Groves head coach Scott Carter, for example, has his pitchers on a pitch
count limit that increases as the season progresses.
Carter allows his pitchers to max out at 40 pitches in preseason scrimmages, 60 pitches at early season tournaments and 100 pitches during district play, he said.
Carter said he sees no need for a state-imposed pitch count.
"I don't agree that there should be a pitch count," Carter said. "Every coach should monitor their pitchers and have their own pitch count and that should be the standard."
Another issue for coaches is how to enforce the state limit.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association, for example, was already implementing a pitch count limit for next season. The association plans to have a neutral third party at games counting pitches along with whoever the home and away teams designate to count. If a pitch limit is exceeded in Alabama, the penalty is a forfeited game and a $250 fine assessed against the violating school.
How the UIL will enforce the rule in Texas is unknown, but Elliot Hopkins, director of sports, sanctioning and student services for the National Federation of State High School Associations, said it should be no problem for coaches to monitor amongst themselves.
"If I'm going to play you on Friday, I'm watching what you're doing," Hopkins said. "I know how many pitches your stud pitcher threw today.
"It's kind of like everybody is going to police themselves because nobody wants anybody to cheat."
Bridge City head coach Chad Landry doesn't agree, saying it shouldn't be his responsibility or anyone else's at the game to keep track of pitch counts.
"Who is going keep track of pitches," Landry said. "Johnny's mom in the third row? We're already understaffed enough as is."
Select ball's role in pitchers' arm health is also a concern among area coaches and Hopkins said that's no different across the country.
Hopkins said USA Baseball's Pitch Smart program, which has pitch count guidelines, is extended throughout numerous youth baseball leagues nationwide. It's making a difference and if a pitcher is on a select team with no requirements, then it's on the parents.
Hopkins said the policy will allow more players to participate. High school baseball staffs can have real bullpens now, he said.
"Before, you only had three or four kids," Hopkins said. "Now, coaches will develop more arms and not for everyone to go seven innings. Now, I just need little Jimmy to throw two, Bobby to throw two and big Frank to close out for me."
By Adam Coleman and Danny Shapiro
Updated 12:34 pm, Thursday, July 14, 2016
The National Federation of High School Associations has directed its members, which includes Texas' UIL, to implement a pitch count for high school baseball players amid a recent increase in arm surgeries and concerns about injuries.
The University Interscholastic League has discussed a possible pitch count restriction since a medical advisory committee submitted a proposal in April.
The UIL released a statement late Tuesday night in response to the NFHS mandate, announcing the state agency was working with the organization to implement pitch count limits "by the start of the 2016-17 baseball season."
Whatever the "magical number" needs to be on pitch count limits per game is up to the state member associations. Under the current proposal for the UIL, that number would be 95 for pitchers ages 14-16 and 110 for those ages 17-19. The proposal allows a pitcher to be back on the mound the next day if he threw 30 or fewer pitches. A day's rest would be required after 31-45 pitches, two days after 46-65, three days after 66-85 and four days after 86-110.
Right now, the only limitation under UIL rule is that a pitcher can't throw more than 10 innings if he pitches in more than one game in a day.
Some area coaches said they already have pitch counts.
Port Neches-Groves head coach Scott Carter, for example, has his pitchers on a pitch
count limit that increases as the season progresses.
Carter allows his pitchers to max out at 40 pitches in preseason scrimmages, 60 pitches at early season tournaments and 100 pitches during district play, he said.
Carter said he sees no need for a state-imposed pitch count.
"I don't agree that there should be a pitch count," Carter said. "Every coach should monitor their pitchers and have their own pitch count and that should be the standard."
Another issue for coaches is how to enforce the state limit.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association, for example, was already implementing a pitch count limit for next season. The association plans to have a neutral third party at games counting pitches along with whoever the home and away teams designate to count. If a pitch limit is exceeded in Alabama, the penalty is a forfeited game and a $250 fine assessed against the violating school.
How the UIL will enforce the rule in Texas is unknown, but Elliot Hopkins, director of sports, sanctioning and student services for the National Federation of State High School Associations, said it should be no problem for coaches to monitor amongst themselves.
"If I'm going to play you on Friday, I'm watching what you're doing," Hopkins said. "I know how many pitches your stud pitcher threw today.
"It's kind of like everybody is going to police themselves because nobody wants anybody to cheat."
Bridge City head coach Chad Landry doesn't agree, saying it shouldn't be his responsibility or anyone else's at the game to keep track of pitch counts.
"Who is going keep track of pitches," Landry said. "Johnny's mom in the third row? We're already understaffed enough as is."
Select ball's role in pitchers' arm health is also a concern among area coaches and Hopkins said that's no different across the country.
Hopkins said USA Baseball's Pitch Smart program, which has pitch count guidelines, is extended throughout numerous youth baseball leagues nationwide. It's making a difference and if a pitcher is on a select team with no requirements, then it's on the parents.
Hopkins said the policy will allow more players to participate. High school baseball staffs can have real bullpens now, he said.
"Before, you only had three or four kids," Hopkins said. "Now, coaches will develop more arms and not for everyone to go seven innings. Now, I just need little Jimmy to throw two, Bobby to throw two and big Frank to close out for me."
The portal to renew your TASO Baseball Membership for the 2016-2017 season is now open.
TASO has a new application process for the 2016-2017 school seasons. Go to the TASO home page www.taso.org, and click the Membership Renewal / New Applicants link in the top right-hand corner. You do not log into the Member’s Portal. Email baseball@taso.org with any problems.
Look at UIL 1204 to see the fee changes. http://www.uiltexas.org/files/policy/Section_1204.pdf. Travel reimbursement will not change this year, but is under discussion for the following year. Please remember, the purpose of travel reimbursement is to keep you whole in getting to and from the games.
To view a short video with instructions for completing your 2016-2017 application, click HERE Need more help with your application? Email baseball@taso.org.
TASO has a new application process for the 2016-2017 school seasons. Go to the TASO home page www.taso.org, and click the Membership Renewal / New Applicants link in the top right-hand corner. You do not log into the Member’s Portal. Email baseball@taso.org with any problems.
Look at UIL 1204 to see the fee changes. http://www.uiltexas.org/files/policy/Section_1204.pdf. Travel reimbursement will not change this year, but is under discussion for the following year. Please remember, the purpose of travel reimbursement is to keep you whole in getting to and from the games.
To view a short video with instructions for completing your 2016-2017 application, click HERE Need more help with your application? Email baseball@taso.org.
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Congratulations to
TASO BASEBALL BEAUMONT CHAPTER
2016 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
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Drake Trawhon -----Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School
Devaun Anderson -----Memorial High School Brett Cooley -----Anahuac High School |
Joshua ( JJ ) Justice ------Jasper High School
Sean Cunningham-----West Brook High School Payton Robertson ------ West Orange-Stark High School |
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SPECIAL THANKS TO SHONA CLARK For the Memorial Scholarship Game photos on TASO Baseball Beaumont web site. E-MAIL: smaclark.70@gmail.com TASO Baseball Beaumont Chapter
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