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 Stalling

    December 27, 2018

    This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains what wrestling officials look for while watching for stalling on the mat.

    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 – Stalling in Wrestling - Listen

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    Today in our series about misunderstood high school sports rules, we’re going to take up the topic of stalling in wrestling.

    National high school rules require that stalling be called by the referee whenever it is recognized – regardless of the position of the wrestlers, the time in the match or the score of the match. When considering stalling, officials are watching to see if both wrestlers are making an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle in the middle of the mat, and whether or not each wrestler is initiating action. Stalling would not be called when a wrestler is overpowering an opponent.

    We hope that by becoming familiar with what referees are required to look for, that fans will better understand that stalling is a subjective call based on objective criteria.

    Past editions

    December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
    December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
    December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
    November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
    November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
    November 15:
    You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
    November 8: 
    7-Person Football Crews - Listen
    November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
    October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
    October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
    October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
    October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
    September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
    September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
    September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
    September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
    August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
    August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen