The National Federation of High School Board of Directors recently announced that it would be changing its baseball pitching rules.

The previous rule allowed high school pitchers to throw 10 innings over three calendar days.

The NFHS, at its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis, decided to change to a pitch count instead of an inning rule. It is allowing each state to decide on the number of pitches thrown during a game before requiring a rest period between starts.

“We’re pleased that the rules committee worked in conjunction with the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to find an acceptable and reasonable modification to this rule in order to emphasis the risk that occurs when pitchers overuse their throwing arm,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and staff liaison for baseball.

Area baseball coaches are in agreement that a rule change was needed. Most of them were already using a pitch count with their pitchers.

“From a pitching standpoint, I believe they are a long-time coming,” Niles coach Mike Vota, who was a minor league pitcher, said. “It is our job to do all in our power to ensure the safety and health of our young athletes and this is a step in the right direction to properly manage arm injuries that are a result of overuse. This practice of using pitch count rather than innings pitched is something most coaches have been using for years so it should not be a huge change for high school teams.”

Edwardsburg coach A.J. Gaideski agreed with Vota.

“It is tough to comment until I know what the pitch count will be, but we have been doing pitch count limitations on our pitchers for years anyway,” he said. “The 10 inning rule is outdated and needed to be changed. A pitcher could throw a huge amount of pitches in ten innings so a switch to number of pitches thrown will help keep the pitcher’s arm healthy. I would like to know what the pitch count will be for Michigan before further comment.”

John Johnson, communications director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association, said that an ad hoc committee met last December to discuss pitching issues.

“That group will be reconvened sometime in August to begin work on a plan that would go to the representative council (our governing body) for a vote at its Dec. 2 meeting in East Lansing,” he said.

Veteran Brandywine coach David Sidenbender said he agrees the rule needs to be changed, but is not sure this is the right direction.

“I think the Michigan high school pitching rules need to be revised for sure,” Brandywine’s coach said. “But I’m not sold on strict pitch counts and such, but something needed to be done. I still think it will be a little while before the MHSAA adopts a new rule though.”