A pitcher will be able to finish the current batter if his pitch count “runs out”.  He cannot start pitching to another batter.  The home book is the final authority on the pitch count.  Any discrepancy will be settled by the umpire in chief and the two managers of the teams involved.  Penalties will result in review by the Board and possible suspensions of the manager.   The final outcome of the game cannot be challenged based on pitch counts.  All Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys and Dixie Majors  pitching Rules will still apply to that age group.

LDYB Pitch Count Rules Implementation Strategy
A Practical Guide
Bobby Brown - LDYB  Coach
(Click here for a printable PDF copy)

With the implementation of the new LDYB Pitch Count Rules for 2007, the need for a consistent methodology for officially scoring pitch counts is being proposed.  It is hoped that the suggestions outlined herein, will reduce confusion and potential conflicts related to the implementation of this new policy.

Coach’s Perspective 

After many years of coaching Dixie Youth Baseball, I believe most of my coaching peers would agree that you can never have enough pitching.  This being said, managing pitchers will become increasingly complex with the new pitch count rules.  This is not a bad thing; the pitch count rules are needed: however the balancing act between pitch count and the Dixie Youth Pitching Rules will require coaches to manage not only their innings pitched but pitches thrown.  As in all decision-making processes, timely and accurate information will be a necessity if managers are to be effective in maximizing the use of their resources while adhering to the new rules.

The Home Team’s Scorebook is the official record of pitches.  It doesn’t matter what the coaches’ clicker/pitch counter says, it’s what is in the official scorebook that counts.  Scorekeepers should be fully aware of the importance of good recordkeeping.  Scorekeepers for the visiting team should also keep pitch counts and compare numbers at the end of each ½ inning with the home team “official scorer.”   This may seem extreme, but it will significantly reduce the likelihood of pitch count related-problems later in the game.  Based on the new rules, it will not be unusual to see a coach pull a pitcher at the 40^th pitch or some other cut off point that will ensure eligibility for a next day game.  Scorekeeping will play a major role in the success or failure of this new rule.

Pitch Counts

The Pitcher: Score keepers should write the name of the pitcher at the top of the column for each inning (for both the visiting and home teams).  If the pitcher changes during an inning, scorekeepers should note the name of the new pitcher at the top or bottom of the column and at what point the change in pitchers occurred.  This may be in the middle of an at bat so if the count was 2 and 1 when the pitcher changes, it should be noted so that pitches can be accounted for by individual pitcher.

Noting Pitching Totals by Inning: At the end of the inning write the total number of pitchers by the pitcher’s name(s) at the top or bottom of the column.  This would be a good time to confer with the opposing team scorekeeper to make sure your numbers match up.

Noting Pitching Totals for the Game:  The scorekeeper should write the names of all pitchers on the appropriate page along with their total pitches for the game.  These numbers should be confirmed and reconciled with the scorekeeper for the other team.  The Home Team’s Scorebook is the official record.  It is suggested that the scorekeeper initial by the totals once the numbers are reconciled.

Documenting Pitches

Strikes and Balls: The score book has a place to mark balls and strikes.

Foul Balls:  The typical scorebook has a place to mark balls and strikes.  Unfortunately, the little circles or boxes for marking strikes are normally limited to two.  On the 3^rd strike the scorer normally marks a “K” in the box.  Scorers need to take special care to put an addition mark for each foul ball that may occur after a two strike count.  It is not uncommon to see a batter foul off five or six balls after having a two strike count.  These pitches need to be documented and counted.

Counting Outcome Pitches: Outcome pitches for these purposes are the last pitch thrown to a batter.  They may be a hit, a ground out, fly out, reach on error, a hit by pitch, ball four, strike three, or it may just be the last pitch thrown before a base runner is tagged out stealing, etc.  Scorekeepers should make sure that the outcome pitches are counted.  They typically do not show up in the ball or strike categories on the score sheet.

No Pitches:  No pitches typically occur when an umpire calls a time out, a base runner leaves base early, or when a pitcher throws a pitch before the umpire is ready.  For the purposes of pitch count under the LDYB Pitch Count Rule, a no pitch is a no pitch.  When an umpire calls the pitch a “no pitch”, they should NOT be counted in pitch totals.  

Balks: Balks may or may not involve a thrown pitch.  For the purpose of the LDYB pitch count rule, a balk will always count as a pitch.

Comments

The key to the smooth implementation of the new pitching rules will consistency in scoring and open communication.

While protecting players’ arms from injury is the primary purpose of the new rule, do not lose site of the competitive nature of LDYB.  We always strive to be the best.  Do not underestimate the importance that pitcher eligibility can play in a team’s ability to compete.  A mistake in documenting pitch count or losing track of pitch count can impact a player’s eligibility to pitch in their next game.  With this in mind, it is suggested that this Implementation Strategy paper be shared with all team managers and scorekeepers.