Saint Francis' Steve Perry throws a pitch to plate against Radford in a Division II consolation match in the 2016 state tournament. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_17020157_16050848_20160507-IMG_1801.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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To comply with a national federation rule on mandatory pitch-count limits, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association has established guidelines for preseason and state tournament baseball games, according to state baseball coordinator Glenn Nitta.

Last July, the National Federation of State High School Associations set a mandatory pitch count for its state associations. While the HHSAA has set its own pitch count for state tournaments, the association has left it up to each league to establish its own. Each league must have a system in place before the HHSAA can sanction an event. For example, all inter-league games, such as in preseason, must be sanctioned by the HHSAA. The Oahu Interscholastic Association will follow the HHSAA's guidelines.

The daily maximum number of pitches has been set at 110.

Below are the guidelines that the HHSAA will use for the state tournament and preseason games.

• Consecutive day(s) running total shall not exceed the daily max (110). 
  • Example 1 - pitcher throws 30 pitches on day 1.  On day 2, pitcher can come back and pitch 80 pitches.  Pitcher will then need to rest 3 days. 
  • Example 2 - pitcher throws 30 pitches on day 1.  On day 2, pitcher throws 30 pitches.  Pitcher needs to rest 1 day since the consecutive day total is 60. 

• Official scorer will be responsible for the official pitch count.  Scorer should verify pitch count after every inning. 

• The starting time of the game does not matter in the calculation of when a pitcher is eligible to pitch again.  Calendar days shall be used.  For games that finish after midnight, the starting calendar day shall be used. 
  • Example – pitcher throws 61 pitches on a game that begins on Friday, but ends after midnight.  Pitcher will be eligible on Monday. 

• If a pitcher reaches the daily max threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following events occur:  (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning.  This only applies to the daily max (not 0-2 day limits). 

• Multiple games in one day – a pitcher who has thrown 1-35 pitches is eligible to throw in any subsequent game that day, but will still be limited to the daily max of 110 pitches (combined) on that day.  If a pitcher throws more than 35 pitches in the first game, they are not eligible to pitch in a second game that same day. 

• Should a team violate the pitch count rule, the head coach shall be ejected and suspended for 1 game.  The pitcher shall be removed from the position of pitcher.  For purposes of this rule, any violation will not be treated like an unsportsmanlike violation.  Leagues may develop their own additional penalties.