PITCH COUNTS...Let's talk!!

We all know that bullpen, flatground work, long toss (inside and out) is going on as we prepare pitchers and catchers for the start of the season... But what are your plans coaches for the cold days of March into April? Let's see key dates to remember and consider:

1st Official Practice: Feb 14
Scrimmages: B/t Feb 22-26
1st Games: March 1
1st Conference Play begins : around Mar 20
Easter Tournament? IF at Easter around Mar 26-29
2nd round of Conference play - around Apr 9
Conference tournaments: May 9
State Playoffs start: May 17

How do you deal with the arms? What about the pitcher/position players, or even the proverbial shortstop/pitcher situation. Realize that you will tailor each individual to his own health/strength/conditioning/recovery time, but what are your basic guidelines here. Here are a few things we look at here: (but we always reconsider any time a pitcher throws over 20-25 pitches in any particular inning)

Early on: 60-75 pitch limits total
MId season: gradually build to 75-85
Late season: 95-100

Every pitch thrown = 1 HR rest.

Very rarely do I allow over 115 That's my absolute max, without any 1 inning over 25. There are many other factors I look at but this is a basic guide to use.

Allright coaches Tell me your thinking!!

 

I like your counts and would possibly be even more conservative.

In pre-season scrimmages, there's not much reason to go over 25-30.

Look at the player. If he's been long tossing and working out over the winter, your number look fine. If he's an underclassman who hasn't really learned to work hard yet but has good talent/potential, you may need to protect him from himself a bit more.

If there is any question about off-season conditioning, I'd start up about 30-40 and work up to 75 slowly. If you aren't in conference play, its a good opportunity to see some of the younger pitchers in a relieve role on the varsity squad.

One rule of thumb I've heard is to limit the pitch count to the high temperature for that day. Early on, it's not a bad idea.

 

I like to have my pitchers to between 20-30 pitches for the scrimages. I never or let me say rarely ever let a pitcher go over 75 pitches in one game or 30 in one inning. I don't even let Legion pitchers go over 75.

 

We do take into consideration the individual player and his own individual makeup. In our scrimmages, I have never thrown a guy more than 30 or so, again depending on his makeup and development, I may have not made it clear.

I have never heard of a pitch count matching the temperature, but it does make sense, thanks!! I will look at that.

 

I agree also.... i think pitching coaches should really have knowledge of what their pitchers are capable of .

If he's throwing alot of 3-2 counts with foul balls included i wouldnt keep him out just reach a pitch count. You can always bring him back the next day or day after if he doesnt throw too much ...

Ive been guilty during AAU seasons a few years back allowing my pitcher to go 7 on friday night and again 3 on Sunday if i needed him... I know no one ever got hurt from this but i know better now to not allow it .

 

We will throw staff early for two reasons. Number one its cold and even though we have been throwing for quite some time game pitches are much different than bullpen work. Number two we want to give all out pitchers work early in the year to evaluate where they are and to get them game experience. We will limit them to two innings or 30-35 game pitches which ever comes first. Once we have a few games in we expand this. Some of our guys will be able to go longer for several reasons. They have been working since August, running throwing plyos etc and they are ready to go longer. Some have not they have been playing basketball. It just depends on the player and what kind of baseball shape he is in. We have always looked at the non conf schedule as a way to prepare for the conference schedule and working in all the potential guys on the hill in these games early is critical down the road. Once we start the conference schedule we try to set up a rotation so we can have our #1 #2 #3 for the conf games that week.