New pitching rule coming
JACKSON, Tenn — The National Federation of High School Sports issued a statement this week regarding the amount of pitches or innings a pitcher can throw.
The TSSAA current rule states, a pitcher can’t throw 10 or more innings in two days. By August 15, school officials and coaches will need to come up with a new rule.
Jackson Christian’s head coach Chuck Cooper, said he doesn’t think the rule will effect many teams, because safety is always a concern for players, but he does think it has some down side.
“You have to know the kid,” Cooper said. “You have to know their workout regiment, there off season conditioning, there, well what they do in between starts. Are they a position player? Or are they not? It’s a very muddy rule in my opinion because every player is different.”
But he does think it’s smart and a good decision by the NFHS to try and monitor the damage being done to athletes arms at a young age.
“I think anytime the NFHS is trying to help protect kids, it’s going to be a good thing,” Cooper said. “There’s been a influx in Tommy John surgeries, rotator cuff surgeries, other injuries among high school pitchers over the last several years, and I’m glad that their taking a stance to try to prevent some injuries.”
The ruling came down this week, but Cooper said this is something that has been the topic of discussion with the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association for years.
He does not know what rule the schools will agree, but whatever is done from here on out will be trial and error.
