NJSIAA PITCH COUNT RULES

Now that the season is in full swing and many of the Frosh, JV, and Varsity pitchers will be used, I wanted to share the state pitching rule guidelines.  Situations may come and go where pitchers may be removed from a game even though “cruising along” or a pitcher is not eligible to be used in a certain time frame based on the following rules given to us by the NFHS and NJSIAA.

2018 NJSIAA BASEBALL PITCH COUNT RULE
The Head Coach must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the pitching limit below.

A pitcher may remain or re-enter the game at another position per substitution rule.
Maximum of 110 pitches per game; NJSIAA Baseball.
A. If a pitcher pitches 91-110 in a day, four calendar days of rest is required.
B. If a pitcher pitches 71-90 pitches in a day, three calendar days of rest is required.
C. If a pitcher pitches 51-70 pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest is required.
D. If a pitcher pitches 31-50 pitches in a day, one calendar days of rest is required.
E. If a pitcher pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
F. A pitcher cannot pitch on 3 consecutive calendar days.
G. A pitcher cannot exceed 150 pitches in a five-day calendar period.
If a pitcher reaches a pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until one of the following occurs.
1. The batter reaches base, or
2. That batter is retired, or
3. The third out is recorded to complete that half-inning or game.
A player may be used as a pitcher in more than one game per day. The combined number of pitches per day will determine the amount of rest required.
In a NJSIAA State Tournament game suspended by darkness, weather or other cause resumed the next day, the pitcher of record may continue to pitch to the extent of his eligibility provided he has pitched less than 50 pitches.
1. If the pitcher has thrown 50 or less pitches before the game was suspended, that
pitcher’s count shall carry over to the next day and pitcher may pitch until the maximum
of 110 pitches in a game is reached.
2. If the pitcher has thrown more than 50 pitches before the game was suspended, that
pitcher shall be required to meet the rest period as per pitch count limits above.
Failure to remove a pitcher when he has reached the maximum number of pitches thrown is the basis for protest by the opposing coach. If the protest is upheld, the penalty shall be forfeiture of the game. It is the coach’s responsibility to know the pitch count.
The use of a pitcher not observing the required rest period, is the basis for protest by the
opposing coach. If the protest is upheld, the penalty shall be forfeiture of the game.
Before every game, both Head Coaches shall exchange their pitching logs as part of the pregame conference with umpires. This shall include names, numbers and pitches thrown by each
pitcher.
In addition, the name(s) and number(s) of all ineligible pitchers for that game shall be identified on each team’s lineup card.
Umpires are reminded they are not to suspend or terminate any game for pitch count rule violation. Schools are responsible for reporting use of ineligible pitchers to the NJSIAA.