Pitching Regulations

56-4-2 Pitching Regulations-For the purposes of this rule, the pitch count is based on pitches thrown to the batters during their time at bat. Warm up pitches allowed before each inning or warm up pitches allowed by the umpire in case of injury or game delay do not count. All NFHS substitution and pitching rules must be followed.

A dead ball pitch will not be considered as a pitch for the purposes of pitch count (e.g., a pitch thrown when time is called, a balk or illegal pitch, etc.)

A pitcher at the Varsity or Sub-varsity level who reaches the maximum pitch count limitation allowed per day during an inning will be afforded the opportunity to finish pitching to the current batter at bat.

The following provisions apply to regular season as well as post season play.

Specific rest periods are in place when a pitcher reaches a high threshold of pitches delivered in a day.

MAXIMUM PITCHES ALLOWED PER DAY Varsity and Sub-Varsity 110

The rest periods required during regular season and post-season tournament play are listed below:

*If a pitcher throws 101 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.

*If a pitcher throws 76-100 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.

*If a pitcher throws 51-75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. *If a pitcher throws 26-50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.

*If a pitcher throws 1-25 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.

If a pitcher throws 51 or more pitches over two consecutive days, at least one calendar day of rest must be observed. The days of rest required are determined by the number of pitches thrown on day two of consecutive days. If a third consecutive day of pitching occurs, the pitcher is limited to a maximum of 25 pitches on that third consecutive day of pitching. At least one day of rest must be observed after three consecutive days of pitching.

A calendar day refers to a time period beginning at midnight on one calendar day and ending at 11:59 p.m. on that same day. A calendar day of rest begins with the day following the first day a pitch is thrown.

A calendar day means that if a pitcher throws 76 pitches on Tuesday that player may not pitch again until Saturday. If a pitcher throws 25 pitches on Tuesday, that pitcher may pitch again on the next day, which is Wednesday. The starting time of the game does not matter in the calculation of when a pitcher is eligible to pitch again.

Schools shall document each player’s pitch count using the GameChanger Application for tracking purposes. The home score book and pitch count accounting are official. Because the home pitch count record is official, the home team shall provide a responsible adult to record pitch count totals in GameChanger. The home and visiting teams shall compare pitch count totals each inning for accuracy. Umpires will not be a part of the process.

56-4-2 Penalty-Violation of this rule constitutes use of an ineligible and forfeiture of any games in which such violation occurs and carries a $100 fine for the offending school. Additionally, the first time a team violates the VHSL pitch count rule, the designated head coach must take the "Introduction to Pitch Smart" course offered through the NFHS on the NFHSLearn website prior to being allowed to return to coaching. Any subsequent violations, by a team of this designated head coach, will result in the suspension of that coach for two games for "Excessive Unsportsmanlike Conduct".