Be the Referee: Baseball Pitch Counts

May 12, 2016

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how some states are moving toward a rule regulating overuse of high school baseball pitchers based on pitch count. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Baseball Pitch Counts - Listen

One of the big health and safety issues right now in the athletic world deals in the sport of baseball – and that’s the arm care restrictions for pitchers.

For many years, the MHSAA has had an innings limitations rule. In other words, once a pitcher reached 30 outs over a period of days, that pitcher had to have a mandatory rest period.

Much of the most recent research now points towards most states having some sort of a pitch count limitation. This work has been supported by a blue-ribbon panel sponsored by Major League Baseball and USA Baseball, that has looked at the science, and the push now is for pitch counts versus inning limitations.

Past editions:
May 5: Home Run or Not? - Listen
April 28: Norris Award Winner Linda Hoover - Listen
April 21: Legacy Program - Listen
April 14: Baseball/Softball Replay - Listen
March 24: Use of the Monitor - Listen
March 17: Block/Charge - Listen
March 10: Ball Stuck on the Rim - Listen
March 3: Three Seconds - Listen
Feb. 25: Deciding the Game - Listen
Feb. 18 : Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 11: Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 4: Block/Charge Calls - Listen
Jan. 28: Dive on the Floor - Listen
Jan. 21: Hockey Officials' Options - Listen
Jan. 14: Recruiting Officials - Listen
Jan. 7: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
Dec. 31: Respect for Referees - Listen
Dec. 24: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
Dec. 17: Basketball Communication - Listen
Dec. 10: Basketball Excessive Contact - Listen
Nov. 26: Pregame Communication - Listen
Nov. 19: Trick Plays - Listen
Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
Sept 3:
Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen

Be the Referee: Volleyball Jewelry

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

September 6, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Volleyball Jewelry - Listen

There’s a new rule in volleyball regarding the wearing of jewelry.

Previously, participants were not allowed to wear stud or post-like jewelry, such as earrings, even if they were covered by tape.

But now, stud or post-like jewelry, worn above the chin, is allowed. Stud earrings are now allowed to be worn during play – and do not need to be covered by tape.

Hoop-style jewelry, such as hoop earrings, are still not allowed, even if covered by tape. If a player is wearing hoop earrings, the coach will be issued an administrative yellow card for the first offense and a red card for a second offense in that set.

Items such as a medical-alert medal or a religious medal must be taped to the body and can be visible during play.

Previous Editions

Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen