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At a glance: Preventing harm to pitching arms

By Star Tribune, 05/23/16, 9:12PM CDT

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Concerned about arm injuries from overuse, the Minnesota State High School League is looking at implementing a pitch count beginning in the 2017 baseball season.

Sparing young arms

Concerned about arm injuries from overuse, the Minnesota State High School League is looking at implementing a pitch count beginning in the 2017 baseball season. The recommendations for maximum number of pitches and ensuing rest days.

Seniors and juniors

• 105 pitches, three days of rest.

• 75 pitches, two days of rest.

• 30 pitches, can pitch back-to-back days but must rest the third day.

Sophomores and younger

• 85 pitches, three days of rest.

Note: Pitchers will be allowed to finish the batter they are facing when they reach the maximum number of pitches.

Pitches for and against: Red Lake County coach Chris Nelson and New Life Academy coach Dave Darr guided their teams to the Class 1A state tournament a year ago. Nelson had three different players throw complete games (95 to 123 pitches); Darr used four different players in their three games (throwing 12 to 84 pitches).

Nelson: “My best players are my pitchers who play full time when not pitching. I’m very careful about the amount of throwing that is done during practice because of this. I don’t have a problem with a pitch count.”

Darr: “We as coaches need to do a better job of finding and developing more pitchers. Even though some guys throw their players too much, I don’t think the high school league needs to step in.’’

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