Well, let me tell ya, if you’re lookin’ to understand them new rules ‘bout pitchers in NCAA baseball for 2024, ya came to the right place. I ain’t no expert, but I can sure give you the lowdown in simple terms, just like a good ol’ country gal would explain it to ya. So, sit tight, and I’ll try to keep it plain and easy to follow.
What’s New with Pitch Count Rules in 2024?
Now, first things first. The NCAA done gone and put in some new rules for pitchers in 2024, especially about how many pitches they can throw in a game. It’s all to keep them boys healthy, y’know? Too much pitchin’ can wear a young arm down real quick, and we don’t want nobody gettin’ hurt.
How Many Pitches Can a Pitcher Throw?
So, if a pitcher throws up to 110 pitches in a game, that’s the max. Yep, that’s the limit, no more than 110. But, here’s the kicker: if that pitcher hits the 110 pitch mark while they’re still pitchin’ to a batter, they can finish up that at-bat, but no more pitches after that. That’s it, game over for that pitcher.
Now, if a pitcher don’t throw that many, say, less than 30 pitches, they can come back and pitch the next day. But if they throw more than 30 pitches, well, they gotta take a break. Here’s how it breaks down:
- If they throw between 31 to 40 pitches, they gotta rest for 1 day.
- If they throw 41 to 50 pitches, it’s gotta be 2 days of rest.
- If they throw 51 to 80 pitches, they need 3 days of rest.
- If they throw 76 to 110 pitches in one day, they gotta rest 3 full days.
Seems like a lotta rest, don’t it? But it’s all to make sure them pitchers don’t wear themselves out. And remember, this here’s for the NCAA, so if you’re watchin’ a game, you’ll see that they’ll be keepin’ an eye on how many pitches that feller throws.
Why Is This Important?
Well, I’ll tell ya why. These rules are there to protect them players. Ya see, back in the day, pitchers might’ve pitched a whole lot more without rest, and that could mess up their arm for good. Now, with these pitch count rules, it’s to keep them healthy and keep them playin’ for the long haul. After all, they gotta be ready for the whole season, not just one game.
And just so ya know, if you’re pitchin’ less than 20 pitches in a game, you don’t even gotta worry ‘bout rest. But for most pitchers, it’s good to keep an eye on them numbers. It ain’t just for the pros, it’s for the college boys too!
What Happens If a Pitcher Overthrows?
If a pitcher tries to push themselves past the limit, well, that’s where the coaches gotta step in. They’ll have to follow the rules and pull the pitcher out if they hit them pitch count limits. It’s all about makin’ sure that pitcher don’t overdo it and hurt their arm. So, you won’t be seein’ anyone throwin’ 150 pitches in a game anymore, that’s for sure.
New Visibility Rules
Now, there’s another rule worth mentionin’. Starting January 2024, them action clocks and between-inning clocks gotta be visible on the field during all Division I games. That means both the pitchers and the batters will have to hustle a bit more, ‘cause everyone’s gotta be ready to go. They’re tryin’ to speed up the game a bit and keep things movin’ along. Ya won’t have to wait so long between pitches no more, that’s for sure.
It’s all about keepin’ the game fair, fun, and, most importantly, safe for the players. So, if you’re headin’ out to watch some NCAA baseball, you can bet there’ll be some new rules to pay attention to!
Wrapping Up
So, that’s the gist of it, sugar. NCAA’s made sure that pitchers won’t throw themselves into the ground with these new pitch count rules. They gotta take care of them arms, so they can keep playin’ and makin’ us all proud. Now, next time you watch a game, you’ll know what’s goin’ on when them pitchers hit that 110 pitch limit and have to sit down for a spell.
And remember, if you’re pitchin’, take care of yourself. Don’t try to be a hero, just stick to the rules, and you’ll be good to go!
Tags:[NCAA Baseball, Pitch Count Rules, 2024 Baseball Rules, Pitcher Rest Rules, NCAA Baseball 2024, NCAA Pitching Limits, Baseball Pitching Safety]