Post by Vatravelball on Aug 11, 2013 21:32:17 GMT -5
VHSL Pitching Policy Just Got Complicated
As the Championship Game between Hanover and GreatBridgeHigh Schools approached, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) made a rules interpretation that may be a surprise to many.
The pitcher from Hanover pitched 7 innings on Tuesday, rested Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, pitched 1 inning in a game Saturday, and was allowed to pitch 6 innings (reaching the limit of 14 in 7 days) on Sunday – the championship game. So what’s the problem?
The Hanover pitcher only had 3 days of rest, not the required 4 days, before being allowed to “pitch to the limit of the rule”. VHSL made the call that pitching 1 inning in competition is a day of rest from competition.
The call was made before the Championship Game, neither coach played under protest, so the results stand. The biggest problem now is the precedent the VHSL decision sets for next season across the State.
In effect a “day of rest” has just been redefined and the restriction that defines when you can pitch to the limit of the rule has just been deleted.
This policy was advertised by VHSL as a safety policy. Did it just get safer or less safe? Parents of pitchers will want to watch what happens this fall.
For reference, this is the current VHSL rule for pitching 7 innings.
“If a pitcher pitches four to seven innings in one day that pitcher shall have two calendar days of rest from competition pitching … Further restrictions regarding this section include:
- After two days of rest a pitcher may pitch a maximum of two innings.
- After three days of rest a pitcher may pitch a maximum of three innings.
- After four days of rest a pitcher may pitch to the limit of the rule.”
As the Championship Game between Hanover and GreatBridgeHigh Schools approached, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) made a rules interpretation that may be a surprise to many.
The pitcher from Hanover pitched 7 innings on Tuesday, rested Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, pitched 1 inning in a game Saturday, and was allowed to pitch 6 innings (reaching the limit of 14 in 7 days) on Sunday – the championship game. So what’s the problem?
The Hanover pitcher only had 3 days of rest, not the required 4 days, before being allowed to “pitch to the limit of the rule”. VHSL made the call that pitching 1 inning in competition is a day of rest from competition.
The call was made before the Championship Game, neither coach played under protest, so the results stand. The biggest problem now is the precedent the VHSL decision sets for next season across the State.
In effect a “day of rest” has just been redefined and the restriction that defines when you can pitch to the limit of the rule has just been deleted.
This policy was advertised by VHSL as a safety policy. Did it just get safer or less safe? Parents of pitchers will want to watch what happens this fall.
For reference, this is the current VHSL rule for pitching 7 innings.
“If a pitcher pitches four to seven innings in one day that pitcher shall have two calendar days of rest from competition pitching … Further restrictions regarding this section include:
- After two days of rest a pitcher may pitch a maximum of two innings.
- After three days of rest a pitcher may pitch a maximum of three innings.
- After four days of rest a pitcher may pitch to the limit of the rule.”