Author |
Topic |
Stolenbase12
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2015 : 13:02:35
|
After playing our first 9U USSSA tourney on Sunday, I can tell you many of the dominant Fall 9U AA teams will be hurting after Jan 1. We faced 4 different teams and all of them had pitchers that went 2 to 3 innings (60 to 70+ pitches not counting any warm ups). Once you got past their ace, they were average at best on the mound. We went 2-2 while pitching 9 of 10 players so I am confident that we will be able to get by with the new pitch count rules. My concern is the official tracking of the pitch counts. I would like to hear more about the guidelines/plan around the pitch count tracking (the how's, the who's, etc). I can already foresee many heated discussions between coaches/book keepers when two teams disagree on the pitch count totals. Just my 2 cents after playing this weekend. |
|
|
PAstros15
50 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2015 : 15:31:45
|
Here's an idea... Just reduce the amount of innings to 6 maximum in all 2 Day tournaments. If a kid pitches more than 2 innings on Saturday he can't pitch on Sunday. Easier to manage, reduces the amount of pitching per kid and makes each team have to use more pitchers. Teams will constantly dispute how many pitches have been thrown. |
|
|
bballman
1432 Posts |
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2015 : 08:28:53
|
Interesting.... Per the GA USSSA website: http://gausssabaseball.com
"Due to USSSA's continued relationship advancement with Major League Baseball, the MLB Network & MLB.com, the 2016 Rulebook includes Rule 7.08.I (USSSA Pitch Count). This new rule will be used in place of the traditional innings pitched rules in specially designated events ONLY and in the Major Classification ONLY. All regular USSSA Qualifiers, NIT, Super NIT & Dual Super NIT events will continue to use Rule 7.08.H (USSSA Innings Pitched) in all classifications." |
Edited by - turntwo on 10/07/2015 08:30:44 |
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2015 : 08:45:04
|
quote: Originally posted by turntwo
Interesting.... Per the GA USSSA website: http://gausssabaseball.com
"Due to USSSA's continued relationship advancement with Major League Baseball, the MLB Network & MLB.com, the 2016 Rulebook includes Rule 7.08.I (USSSA Pitch Count). This new rule will be used in place of the traditional innings pitched rules in specially designated events ONLY and in the Major Classification ONLY. All regular USSSA Qualifiers, NIT, Super NIT & Dual Super NIT events will continue to use Rule 7.08.H (USSSA Innings Pitched) in all classifications."
Okay, maybe I am a bit grumpy today or something....BUT....is anyone else interpreting this rule as "We only need to protect the good kids arms?" Perhaps more caffeine is needed. |
|
|
hangwiffem
69 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2015 : 10:24:18
|
Wonder why the step backwards from the original ruling change....? Wonder what a "specially designated event" is. |
|
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2015 : 11:38:50
|
quote: Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote: Originally posted by turntwo
Interesting.... Per the GA USSSA website: http://gausssabaseball.com
"Due to USSSA's continued relationship advancement with Major League Baseball, the MLB Network & MLB.com, the 2016 Rulebook includes Rule 7.08.I (USSSA Pitch Count). This new rule will be used in place of the traditional innings pitched rules in specially designated events ONLY and in the Major Classification ONLY. All regular USSSA Qualifiers, NIT, Super NIT & Dual Super NIT events will continue to use Rule 7.08.H (USSSA Innings Pitched) in all classifications."
Okay, maybe I am a bit grumpy today or something....BUT....is anyone else interpreting this rule as "We only need to protect the good kids arms?" Perhaps more caffeine is needed.
I'm thinking, MAYBE it has more to do with potentially slowing down 'over-zealous' COACHES of Major teams, going for the 'gusto' or riding their aces, all for the sake of wins!?!? (We may agree that Major is the most competitive-- abilities and coaching alike? Or not.)
quote: Originally posted by hangwiffem
Wonder why the step backwards from the original ruling change....? Wonder what a "specially designated event" is.
Instead of 'punishing' all, for the recklessness of a few, maybe they felt giving teams an OPTION to participate in pitch count vs. innings pitched would suffice? If you've got a Major team loaded with pitching, the coach may view the 'challenge' of managing pitch count as something he'd like to tackle.... Bringing in a whole new role of 'coaching' and making it more about 'game management'. Maybe. Maybe not. |
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2015 : 13:18:57
|
For sure not enough coffee since I can't figure out how to quote tunrtwo's comment, so I will just respond.
I agree, Majors and special competitions have the most competitive teams, both coaches and players...and that is why I can't buy into the idea that this rule is there to slow over zealous coaches.
These pitch counts are designed to protect kids arms from over use...we have gone 3 pages about how potentially difficult it could be to have a pitching rotation with these rules...but we have gone round robin on this because we assumed each team had 2 top kids that could really pitch. That isn't the case with Major teams, their worst pitcher could be the star of a AAA team's pitching rotation. The idea they would have a problem with these restrictions is nearly laughable.
So, I say again...this rule seems designed to protect the "good" kids arms, not ALL the kids arms. |
|
|
redsox23
98 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2015 : 22:42:48
|
Maybe the step back is to let USSSA figure out how the pitch counts are really going to be recorded/monitored in a smaller sample size and see what effect it has on the game. How many brawls per weekend for one score keeper having a kid at 19 pitches and the other team has him at 21....Will they need to have an official scorer now? If so, what would it cost? how can we add that money to entry fees for the team?
I would hope that coaches at the A/AA/AAA level take this as a sign that "it's coming" and they start to develop more pitching depth this year.....While it may look like protect the "good arms" I take it as a warning shot over the bow of the AA/AAA teams formed by Dads with a couple good pitchers that they abuse from 8-12u....... You have a year to fix the mess you created and start working with all the kids on the bump, not just your own.
Majors teams may have more pitching depth, and their worst pitcher would be a stud at AAA, but guess what, they aren't playing AAA and that kids barely sees the mound now because Major ball is all about WINNING!!! But under these rules, he will now be able to develop.
Lets play it out.....A major team has 6 studs, they split up Saturday 2 innings each. Each is pretty efficient 35 pitches. Come back very next day, not necessarily as sharp, still splitting innings evenly, but its up to 20 pitches an inning, still good enough and keeping your team in the game, you get to the third game, 18 innings today for the staff. Each now has thrown 95-100 pitches in a weekend. DO THAT WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT FOR 15 WEEKS. That is asking for trouble.
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|