The Colorado High School Activities Association’s baseball committee held off on changes to pitch count rules, for now. Credit: File photo
File photo
There could be some changes to the state’s pitch count rules in high school baseball. The limits could change depending on the time of the season.
However, CHSAA’s baseball committee had questions about how coaches could implement new pitch-count rules and whether pitchers could or should throw pitches – and how many – on successive days.
Instead, the committee recommended a delay to study the issue. If it’s approved, it wouldn’t take effect until the 2028 season.
At present, CHSAA allows pitchers to throw a maximum of 105 pitches per day, followed by a mandatory day of rest. Also, any pitcher who throws 90 pitches in a game gets a day of rest. The proposal was to keep lower pitch counts early in the season (one to 45 pitches in April could require a rest day) and increase the counts as the season goes forward.
Chris Medina, athletic director at Lamar High School, said the present idea of a “zero day” for pitchers is not a rest day.
“All pitching efforts require rest,” he said. “As the season progresses, arms get in better shape. And we can allow for more pitching to go through. It does allow us to build arms. It allows for player availability without compromising safety. We’re building on stuff that is done in other states.”
The committee could bring this back for discussion and a decision in a year.
In other business
The committee opted for a proposal to toss out the Class 1A district tournament in favor of more regular-season games, effective with the 2027-2028 baseball season. The proposal came from Merino High School. The school’s baseball coach, Logan Tharp, said the present 19-game schedule leaves only one non-league game per season to be used for state playoff seeding.
“A lot of us play doubleheaders,” said Tharp. “Our league runs into scheduling a lot of 2A opponents. Early in the spring, weather is a factor. Reschedule dates for postponements come during a time when 1A teams are in the playoffs.”
The proposal moves on to the CHSAA Legislative Council meeting this winter.
Two-colored first base bags will be a part of the baseball scene starting in the 2027 season. Softball teams have used the two-colored bags for a few years. Runners have to run to the outside of the bag, and fielders have to stay on the field side. The main reason to introduce this is safety.
More information is available at CHSAANow.com.