The SOUTH CAROLINA High School League has passed the Best Rule adopted by any state thus far. www.scbca.net/uploads/5/0/7/8/50785585/pitch_count_restrictons.docx
0-30 - 0 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
31-45 - 1 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
46-60 - 2 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
61-75 - 3 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
76-90 - 4 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
91-110+(Soft Limit) - 5 days rest - This is actually BETTER than Pitch Smart, which would only require 4 days rest. Sub-Varsity players are limited to 75+ pitches per day.
The 110 limit is slightly higher than the 105 recommended by Pitch Smart for 17-18's, and the 95 recommended for 15-16's. Unfortunately, the SC limit of 110 applies to all Varsity pitchers, regardless of age. HOWEVER, the extra 5th day of rest required if a pitcher throws 91-110+ makes up for this to a certain degree. One thing SC did do is provide that 7th and 8th graders are limited to 75 pitches, EVEN IF they are on varsity. Having a kid this age on Varsity is pretty rare, but this rule will help to protect the 7th-8th grade phenom throwing 80+.
SOUTH CAROLINA has also attempted to close the gap/loophole in Pitch Smart that would allow a pitcher to throw 30 pitches, day after day. Under the SC Rule, if a kid throws 30 or less on Day 1, the pitches thrown on Day 2 are added to the Day 1 total to determine how much rest he needs before throwing again. For example, if he threw 20 pitches on Day 1 plus 20 on Day 2, that would give him a total of 40, which would mean he would have to rest 1 day before throwing again. If he threw 30 on Day 1 and 40 on Day 2, that would give him a total of 70, which would require 3 days rest before throwing again. It is still possible for a kid to be thrown every day, so long as his rolling total for each 2 day period is below 30. For example, he could throw 15,15,15,15,15, or 20,10,20,10,20, on 5 consecutive days without violating the rule, or requiring any rest. Unfortunately, the pitches thrown on Day 1 are not deducted from the pitches allowed on Day 2. So, you could let a kid throw 30 on Day 1, plus 110+ on Day 2. You could also throw a kid 15,15,15,15,110+, or 30,0,30,0,110+ on 5 consecutive days.
Perhaps the biggest flaw with the SC Rule is it uses DAILY limits, rather than per game/appearance limits. This means that a kid could still throw in two (or even three) separate games on the same day, provided his total for all games does not exceed 110+. (Pitch Smart recommends against throwing in multiple games on the same day). Unlike travel ball, the 3 game scenario is unlikely in HS ball. But, two games in a day is not uncommon in HS ball due to rainouts/make ups and tournaments. You will rarely, if ever, see an MLB pitcher throw in both games of a double-header, but for some reason it is okay for a HS player to do it.
Pitch Smart recommends that players "avoid playing catcher when not pitching." To their credit, SOUTH CAROLINA attempts to address this issue. The SC rule provides "a player who has pitched may not move to catcher in the same game/day." So far so good. The problem I see with this rule is it does not limit catching BEFORE pitching. For example, a kid could catch for 6 innings, then pitch the 7th, and any additional innings thereafter. Not an ideal situation. Or, the kid could catch the first game of a double-header, then pitch the entire second game. Ironically, the rule prevents a kid who pitches any amount in Game 1 of a DH from catching in the remainder of that game, or Game 2 of the DH. HOWEVER, that same kid could PITCH in the second game, even though he could not catch in it. But, despite the flaws in this rule, you have to give them credit for trying. Thus far, I have found no other state rule that attempts to limit pitching and catching in the same game/day.
SOUTH CAROLINA has also done a good job in limiting Sub-Varsity players to no more than 75 pitches per game. This is the lowest Sub-Varsity limit I have seen thus far.
Though not perfect, SOUTH CAROLINA's rule is hands down the best I have seen so far. As far as a rating/ranking, I would give them a B for the overall rule. Although, they certainly deserve an A for effort.
Read more: http://asmiforum.proboards.com/thread/2357/rating-pitch-count-rest-rules#ixzz4Lew6iC3a
0-30 - 0 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
31-45 - 1 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
46-60 - 2 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
61-75 - 3 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
76-90 - 4 days rest - Same as Pitch Smart
91-110+(Soft Limit) - 5 days rest - This is actually BETTER than Pitch Smart, which would only require 4 days rest. Sub-Varsity players are limited to 75+ pitches per day.
The 110 limit is slightly higher than the 105 recommended by Pitch Smart for 17-18's, and the 95 recommended for 15-16's. Unfortunately, the SC limit of 110 applies to all Varsity pitchers, regardless of age. HOWEVER, the extra 5th day of rest required if a pitcher throws 91-110+ makes up for this to a certain degree. One thing SC did do is provide that 7th and 8th graders are limited to 75 pitches, EVEN IF they are on varsity. Having a kid this age on Varsity is pretty rare, but this rule will help to protect the 7th-8th grade phenom throwing 80+.
SOUTH CAROLINA has also attempted to close the gap/loophole in Pitch Smart that would allow a pitcher to throw 30 pitches, day after day. Under the SC Rule, if a kid throws 30 or less on Day 1, the pitches thrown on Day 2 are added to the Day 1 total to determine how much rest he needs before throwing again. For example, if he threw 20 pitches on Day 1 plus 20 on Day 2, that would give him a total of 40, which would mean he would have to rest 1 day before throwing again. If he threw 30 on Day 1 and 40 on Day 2, that would give him a total of 70, which would require 3 days rest before throwing again. It is still possible for a kid to be thrown every day, so long as his rolling total for each 2 day period is below 30. For example, he could throw 15,15,15,15,15, or 20,10,20,10,20, on 5 consecutive days without violating the rule, or requiring any rest. Unfortunately, the pitches thrown on Day 1 are not deducted from the pitches allowed on Day 2. So, you could let a kid throw 30 on Day 1, plus 110+ on Day 2. You could also throw a kid 15,15,15,15,110+, or 30,0,30,0,110+ on 5 consecutive days.
Perhaps the biggest flaw with the SC Rule is it uses DAILY limits, rather than per game/appearance limits. This means that a kid could still throw in two (or even three) separate games on the same day, provided his total for all games does not exceed 110+. (Pitch Smart recommends against throwing in multiple games on the same day). Unlike travel ball, the 3 game scenario is unlikely in HS ball. But, two games in a day is not uncommon in HS ball due to rainouts/make ups and tournaments. You will rarely, if ever, see an MLB pitcher throw in both games of a double-header, but for some reason it is okay for a HS player to do it.
Pitch Smart recommends that players "avoid playing catcher when not pitching." To their credit, SOUTH CAROLINA attempts to address this issue. The SC rule provides "a player who has pitched may not move to catcher in the same game/day." So far so good. The problem I see with this rule is it does not limit catching BEFORE pitching. For example, a kid could catch for 6 innings, then pitch the 7th, and any additional innings thereafter. Not an ideal situation. Or, the kid could catch the first game of a double-header, then pitch the entire second game. Ironically, the rule prevents a kid who pitches any amount in Game 1 of a DH from catching in the remainder of that game, or Game 2 of the DH. HOWEVER, that same kid could PITCH in the second game, even though he could not catch in it. But, despite the flaws in this rule, you have to give them credit for trying. Thus far, I have found no other state rule that attempts to limit pitching and catching in the same game/day.
SOUTH CAROLINA has also done a good job in limiting Sub-Varsity players to no more than 75 pitches per game. This is the lowest Sub-Varsity limit I have seen thus far.
Though not perfect, SOUTH CAROLINA's rule is hands down the best I have seen so far. As far as a rating/ranking, I would give them a B for the overall rule. Although, they certainly deserve an A for effort.
Read more: http://asmiforum.proboards.com/thread/2357/rating-pitch-count-rest-rules#ixzz4Lew6iC3a