We haven't had a pitch count discussion in a long time. News item with the headline "Tennessee high school's baseball season ends in playoffs after pitch count violation wipes out no-hitter":
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This happened a couple years ago in FL. The school and coach appealed it claiming the crazy loud playoff environment caused him to lose track of the pitch count allowing the pitcher to go beyond the threshold. The FHSAA ruled in their favor. I personally disagree with the decision. The rule is clear as day and there are ways to make sure you don't go over. Gamechanger even has a notification feature you can customize to alert you at certain pitch counts. And with this specific case, the kids on his team caused the environment. They were known all season to be loud and over the top when it comes to trash talking.
I will say this coach turned himself in and took the loss. But throwing a kid 121 pitches in a game is ludicrous. Too many pitches for a high-level, high velo guy.
The 120 is ridiculous no matter how hard you throw. Yeah there is the occasional big strapping senior who is built tough enough to handle the occasional 120 but vast majority aren't and you can't guarantee he actually is tough enough. Limit it to 105 - that's 15 per inning which is doable.
The forfeit is a ridiculous punishment. The forfeit in the playoffs is well beyond ridiculous. The head coach / coaching staff is the one who broke the rule - not the kids. Why punish the kids? Suspend the HC for 1, 2, 3 - however many games you want but punish him. Not the kids. He does it again then suspend him an entire season. I have no problem punishing this violation hard because it is important but there isn't a single kid who has violated the rule - ever. They are going to pitch until you take them out. That's why we are the adults and they will learn from us. So punish the adult and not the kids
1. 120 pitches is too high for highschool
2. You would hope the pitcher's coach would be a little more protective of a promising young arm, but I will give him the excuse of getting caught up in a 16k no-hitter.
3. If you're the other coach and your team lost 5-0 and were completely dominated, how do you take that W?
C'mon man. You tell the violating coach, you appreciate the honesty, but 1 pitch was not the difference. I would be humiliated to win a game like that. Accepting that win was weak.