Are dedicated closers common in HS?

In the bigger schools with large rosters it's not uncommon.

Large HS here in the Chicagoland area.  While it's not prominent its not uncommon.

Pretty common where we were to have one guy who always closed, but usually he was coming in from another position.

I've never seen a closer in my area who strictly comes out of the bullpen. Maybe 10-20% of the teams have a guy who throws gas who will move from his other position in the field to close the game. Sometimes the pitch count comes into play.

We have a P.O. closer now, and in fact have someone in that role every year. 

I did not coach my son in 12U travel last year and the coach he played for made him a closer for most tournaments. Since the coach was not tracking pitch counts I was OK with it because I knew my son's pitch counts would remain low. And because his team was mediocre he didn't have a heavy workload.

But if I was a kid pitching in HS and looking to play college ball I would not be happy in that role. I would want more exposure by pitching more innings, even in a relief role.

We have a closer but just the opposite.  He comes in after the big boys and throws 65 with nasty stuff.  After you have seen upper 80's-low 90's, it is hard to sit on 65 with movement and a curve ball and slider.  He usually only throws 1 inning or part of an inning.  Was very effective.  That is the only time he pitches so he is truly a closer.

Starting pitcher may have reached his pitch limit? NFHS rules ?

It's not a bad role if the team is good. It takes a certain attitude, which not all high school pitchers have. Our closer is an upper 80s RHP (topped at 88 in his most recent game a few days ago) who will pitch in college next year. He's very good in his role, but he's not the best reliever on the team -- that's an ice-water-in-his-veins LHP who can be put in the toughest of spots (bases loaded, whatever), and who is headed to a D1 next year. 

baseballmom posted:

Starting pitcher may have reached his pitch limit? NFHS rules ?

I think NFHS added the pitch count rule for the 2017 season. As I understand it, they don't dictate the numbers or the days rest, they only require that each state have a system in place.