NWL Implements Pitching Guidelines
Pitch and Appearance Limitations are Comparable to Minor League Ball
(ROCHESTER, MN) The Northwoods League has implemented rules, similar to those used by some Major League organizations, that guide coaching staffs to develop pitchers over the course of a season. The new guidelines will be in effect for the 2010 Northwoods League season.
Included in the guidelines, a pitcher will not be allowed to start a new inning if he’s thrown 100 or more pitches in the game. If he happens to reach 110 pitches, the pitcher would need to be removed from the game at the end of the at-bat. If in a given inning a pitcher throws 30 or more pitches, he will not be allowed to return for the next inning.
The Northwoods League had a league-record four no-hitters thrown during the summer of 2009. The guidelines will allow some leeway to accommodate such accomplishments, but even while tossing a no-hitter a pitcher wouldn’t be allowed to begin a new inning if he’s already thrown 120 or more pitches.
“The implementation of these rules is a tremendous statement of the Northwoods League’s commitment to developing baseball players in a minor league setting,” said Andy McKay, who has coached the NWL’s La Crosse Loggers the past two seasons in addition to his head coach position at Sacramento City College. “These regulations are in complete accordance with the protocol of most minor league organizations and the Northwoods League is now the only major college summer league with pitch count guidelines to protect the health and development of our players,” added McKay, who has also coached in the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Alaska Baseball League.
Additional guidelines assure pitchers five full days of rest between appearances if they do throw 100 or more pitches in a game. If a pitcher throws from 85-99 pitches he’s assured four full days rest. Relief pitchers would be assured a full day of rest after making an appearance two consecutive days.
Coaches failing to abide by the guidelines would be deemed at fault by the Northwoods League and would be subject to a fine and suspension.
“These new guidelines are just another way of keeping us ahead of the curve as we continue to move forward and develop these young men for future college play and ultimately for professional baseball careers,” said Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr. “By operating under this type of structure, our pitchers will be experiencing the same conditions as they will upon entering the lower ranks of professional baseball.”
The Northwoods League plays more games than, draws more fans than, and plays in venues superior to any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. To date, 59 of the NWL’s former players have gone on to play Major League Baseball.
