PIAA Pitching Regulations

NFHS / PIAA Pitching Regulations (2013)

What is Legal and What Is Not

Basic Pitching Position: / Position of Feet / Pitcher assumes the rubber with: / It’s OK to: / It’s NOT OK to: / Pitcher must:
Wind-Up / Pivot foot:
Must be “in contact with the pitcher’s plate.”
Non-pivot foot:
“Shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.” / 1. Both hands together / Drop the pitching hand and stop / Step off or pitch
2. Both hands at his sides / a. Bring both hands together and immediately begin the pitch.
b. Bring the glove hand up and stop, followed by bringing the pitching hand into the glove and stopping. / a. Bring both hands together and stop
b. Then drop one hand and stop / a. Continue the pitch when both hands are simultaneously brought together
b. Step off or pitch
3. One hand in front, the other at his side / a. Bring both hands together and immediately begin the pitch.
b. Bring the pitching hand into the glove and stop. / Drop either hand and not continue the pitching motion.
Basic Pitching Position: / Position of Feet / Pitcher assumes the rubber with: / It’s OK to: / It’s NOT OK to: / Pitcher must:
Set / Pivot foot:
The entire pivot foot shall be in contact with or directly in front of the pitcher’s plate.”
Non-pivot foot:
“The entire non-pivot foot shall be in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.” / Pitching hand stationary down at his side or behind his back. / Use gorilla stance while getting sign. Arm MUST be still. (new in 2010) / Swing the arm in the gorilla stance: balk. / Be still while getting the sign, then come to the set position in one, continuous motion.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN ( July 31, 2000 ) — Several clarifications in pitching motions were approved by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee at its meeting here July 15-17, 2000.

The committee defined the “time of the pitch” in the windup position as occurring when the pitcher:

(a) first starts any movement of his arm(s) or leg(s) after stepping onto the pitcher’s plate with his hands already together in front of his body;

(b) with both arms at his side, first starts any movement with both arms or leg(s) prior to the pitch; or

(c) with either hand in front of the body and the other hand at his side, after bringing his hands together, first starts any movement of his arm(s) or leg(s) prior to the pitch.

In the set position, the “time of the pitch” occurs the instant the pitcher, after coming to a complete and discernible stop, starts any movement with arm(s) and/or leg(s) that commits him to pitch.

In addition, the committee clarified Rule 6-1-4 regarding the position of the pitcher’s glove in the set position as follows: “He shall come to a complete and discernible stop (a change of direction is not considered an acceptable stop) with the ball in both hands in front of the body and his glove at or below his chin.”

Elliot Hopkins, director of educational services for the NFHS and staff liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee, said there was confusion as to how these rules were being applied. He said the change in language was meant to clarify the intent of these pitching rules.

MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce Howard or John Gillis, 317.972.6900

2013 PIAA PITCHING ADOPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

PIAA BASEBALL PITCHING RESTRICTION (6-1-6)

A player may pitch in a maximum of 9 innings in 1 calendar day, but not more than 14 innings in a calendar week (Sunday through Saturday).

Delivery of 1 pitch constitutes having pitched in any inning.

If an inning is played in part on 2 calendar days, delivery of 1 pitch in that inning in each of those calendar days constitutes having pitched in 2 innings.

If he pitches in 3 innings or less in 1 calendar day, no rest is required; however, no player may pitch more than 3 consecutive three-inning days.

If he pitches 3 consecutive three-inning days, he must have 1 calendar day of rest.

If he pitches in 4 or 5 innings in 1 calendar day, he must have 2 calendar days of rest.

If he pitches in 6 or more innings in 1 calendar day, he must have 3 calendar days of rest.

If a baseball player pitches more innings than are permitted under the “restriction,” the school is using an ineligible player (pitcher) and shall forfeit the Contest. Violations of the “restriction” subject the school to other penalties under ARTICLE XIII, PENALTIES, of the PIAA By-Laws. As is the case with all PIAA rules and regulations, it is the responsibility of the Principal to make sure that the school’s baseball Coaches and players comply with the PIAA baseball pitching restriction (6-1-6).

(http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/Section%20III.%20Rules%20and%20Regulations.pdf) See page 7.