Variability in Pitch Count Limits and Rest Day Requirements by State: Implications of Season-Long Pitch Counts in High School Baseball Pitchers

Abstract

Background: It is unknown how different pitch count limits and rest day requirements affect cumulative pitch counts during a baseball season. Purpose: To determine (1) the variability of pitch count rules in high school baseball and (2) the theoretical effect of different pitch count limits and rest day combinations on game, weekly, and seasonal pitch totals in high school baseball pitchers. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Pitch count rules for the 2019-2020 academic year for 48 sanctioned states were recorded from each state’s athletic association website. Maximum pitch count limits were recorded along with the number of pitches allowed before requiring 0 to 5 rest days before the next pitching outing. Rules were also analyzed for several distinctions, including the athlete’s level of competition, age, and grade. To determine the effect of pitch count rules and rest days, a theoretical 3-month season was calculated in the following scenarios: (1) variable maximum pitch count limits with a universal 3-day rest requirement, (2) universal 110 pitch count limit with variable rest day requirements (3, 4, or 5 days), and (3) actual pitch count limits and required rest days for every state assuming pitchers throw as many pitches as allowed. Analysis of variance and Student t tests were used to compare between-group and intragroup seasonal pitch totals based on variations in required rest days. Results: The most common maximum pitch count limit for a varsity high school athlete was 110 pitches (range, 100-125 pitches) with 4 rest days (range, 0-5 days). We found that 23 states (48%) did not make distinctions for pitch count rules based on the athlete’s level of competition, age, or grade. We noted a 25% increase in total seasonal pitch counts between the smallest and largest pitch count limit when assuming constant 3-day rest. We found a 53% difference in total seasonal pitch count when rest days varied between 3 and 5 days with a constant 110-pitch limit. Allowing 140 pitches in a 4-day span without a specific rest day requirement resulted in the highest seasonal pitch count (Nevada). There was a 49% difference in maximum seasonal pitch counts between the most and least restrictive states ( P < .001). Submaximum pitch limits resulted in higher seasonal pitch counts than maximum pitch limits in 56% of states. Conclusion: Pitch count rules vary widely by state. Required rest days influenced total seasonal pitch counts more than maximum or submaximum pitch count limits.