Over Use???

60 pitches is a pen.

60 pitches is a pen, but not with the adrenaline and max effort a pitcher would put forth in a game.

I think the Saturday/Tuesday outings were ok. I personally would have probably let the kid rest on Friday. Also depends on number of innings pitched (41 pitches in 5 innings is cake; 66 over 7 is as well), kids' mechanics & velocity (longer/looser arm and guys that "pitch" at 90% effort can handle more; shorter more muscle bound guys and guys that give 110% effort every pitch normally need more recovery time)

Thanks "Coach A" for your response! It looks like all the other coaches were afraid to touch this one.

I believe a kid, if he is a starting pitcher, should throw only his one game per week, no relief appearances, and then 2-3 days later throw a side session during practice

I am normally not one that would agree with throwing on Saturday and then again on Tuesday, but since he only threw 41 pitches Saturday, he would still be fresh and actually needing to pitch once again early in the week. Sitting out for 6 days and only getting 41 pitches in would actually throw most pitchers off. That would mean two bullpen sessions in between starts as opposed to one.

Thanks for your faith in me Bad2DaBone...I enjoy these type of posts because it actually carries some merit and helps players/parents get a better understanding of how coaches think during games instead of all the ripping and primping that normally takes place on here.

The pitch counts listed above would be fine....At this point in the season, every pitcher should be at full strength. Those pitch counts fall within most peoples acceptable guidelines...

Obviously the condition of the kid, past history (such as previous arm problems), and other issues have to be considered....

As long as proper care is taken I don't see a problem with it...I wouldn't want to see this done in February or early March!!! The line is being approached though....The key is knowing the kid!!!!

Guess the Naaman Forest coach isn't worried about it. From the paper today, sounds like he will pitch Herrick whenever they are in jeopardy of losing!! If Naaman makes the playoffs, they better hope they win the toss and get to play a one game playoff, otherwise they don't sound too confident in their other pitchers.

One problem with that. From what i have heard, there are no more one game playoff match-ups. All Playoff match-ups wil be 3 game series.

This just in from Yahoo Sports: Now this might be over use. Your thoughts? Look at the coaches quote.. "There was a danger he could get injured", ya think?

Japanese school team hit for 66 runs in two innings


14 hours, 26 minutes ago

TOKYO, April 17 (Reuters) - A Japanese high school pleaded for a regional game to be abandoned after surrendering 66 runs in less than two innings, local media reported on Thursday.

The coach of Kawamoto technical high school threw in the towel to spare his pitcher’s arm with his team losing 66-0 with just one batter out in the bottom of the second.

The hapless hurler had already sent down over 250 pitches, allowing 26 runs in the first inning and 40 in the second before Kawamoto asked for mercy.

“At that pace the pitcher would have thrown around 500 pitches in four innings,” Kawamoto’s coach was quoted as saying. “There was a danger he could get injured.”

Opponents Shunshukan were officially credited with a 9-0 victory, giving the scoreline a tinge of respectability for the luckless Kawamoto school. (Writing by Alastair Himmer; Editing by Justin Palmer)

What a crazy story!!!
YAYA- 3 game series sounds good to me.
Wonder if the fields will be dry enough to play tonight!!

Thank you to the coaches and other folks who placed this good information up here. As the mom of a pitcher, I could use this info!

I am so glad I joined this site!

quote:

Originally posted by the great YAYA:
One problem with that. From what i have heard, there are no more one game playoff match-ups. All Playoff match-ups wil be 3 game series.

All series are 2 out of 3 unless the coaches disagree. Then they would coin flip to settle the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by Bad2DaBone:
I would like to hear the perspectives of the coaches out there regarding over pitching a pitcher at the high school 5A level.

- Saturday: 41 pitches
- Tuesday: 66 pitches
- Friday: 59 pitches
Total: 166 pitches

The above are actual game pitches and do not include bullpen pitches or warm up pitches at the beginning of each inning. If it did, the total pitches in the week would be 225 or more. We have all heard about pitchers throwing 120+ pitches in one game.

I am interested in coaches perspectives of a high school pitcher throwing that much in one week with only 2 days rest between outings.

Bad2dabone,

As a coach, I have my own throwing program that my players use. I will not go into specifics, but I see no problem with the Saturday and Tuesday outings. Under my program, the Friday outing would not have taken place. However, I might have brought back a pitcher a day later on Saturday, but only with a 20-30 pitch limit (1 inning).

We throw as much as we can. I know personally when my arm hurts it is because I have not been throwing regularly.

Although Im not a coach I think the players mechanics should be considered in the pitch count of the individual.

I saw Kerry Woods throw 175 pitches and then two days later throw over 150. After the Cubs drafted him I gave him two years before arm problems kicked in. My opinion was based on his throwing delivery.

Just my take on pitching...