Be the Referee: Pitch Counts

February 23, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the new baseball pitch count rule that will take effect this spring.

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 – Pitch Counts - Listen

One of the most significant changes to the game of high school baseball will take place this coming spring with the institution of the new pitch count rule.

In past years, pitchers were limited to how much that they could throw based on outs or innings pitched. Starting in the spring of 2017, pitchers will now be limited to each individual pitch thrown.

The maximum number of pitches is 105 pitches in a game. Pitchers also have to have required days of rest whenever they throw at least 50 pitches, 75 pitches, or the maximum of 105. This new rule is yet another way player safety is the number one priority.

    Past editions
    Feb. 16: Recruiting Officials - Listen
    Feb. 9: Ejections - Listen
    Feb. 2: Wrestling & Technology - Listen
    Jan. 26: Post Play - Listen
    Jan. 19: Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen
    Jan. 12: Free Throw Change - Listen
    Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
    Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
    Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
    Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
    Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
    Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
    Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
    Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
    Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
    Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
    Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
    Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
    Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
    Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
    Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
    Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
    Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

    Be The Referee: Wrestling Tie-Breaker

    January 16, 2020

    This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis discusses an addition this winter to the tie-breaker criteria for dual wrestling meets.

    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 - Wrestling Tie-Breaker - Listen

    In a dual meet in wrestling, if the team score is tied at the conclusion of all 14 weight classes, there are criteria in place that are used to determine a winner. The list is quite extensive, and has expanded to 17 tie-breakers this year.

    The newest addition to the list is the sixth tie-breaker to be used – and it is the team giving up the least number of forfeits. Part of the rationale behind the addition is to encourage schools to field wrestlers in as many weight classes as possible to promote participation.

    The first tie-breaker continues to be the team penalized the fewest number of team points for flagrant misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct; and the last tie-breaker continues to be a coin flip.

    Past editions

    Jan. 9: Pregame Meeting - Listen
    Dec. 19: Alternating Possession - Listen
    Dec. 12: Ratings - Listen
    Dec. 5: Video Review Success - Listen
    Nov. 28: 
    More Injury Time - Listen
    Nov. 21: Football Review - Listen
    Nov. 14: Sideline Safety - Listen
    Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
    Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
    Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
    Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
    Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
    Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
    Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
    Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
    Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
    Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
    Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen