Ridge’s Connor Byrne pitches in the top of the 4th of the Somerset County Tournament Championship Game at TD Bank Park in Bridgewater on May 23, 2022. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
11:06 pm Tuesday: While many of you were sleeping, or getting ready to turn in, Winter officially turned into Spring, and that means high school baseball is almost here.
Opening Day is less than two weeks away, and over that time period, we’ll be previewing the season, including the reveal of our 2024 Broadcast Schedule later this week.
For now, we’re taking a look at some changes to high school baseball for the upcoming season.
New Technology…
As sports at all levels continue to embrace technology in their games – issues with basketball aside – the NJSIAA will follow newly-adopted NFHS rules on electronic communication equipment.
The new rules allow one-way devices from the dugout to the catcher while that team is on defense for the purpose of calling pitches. Only catchers could be on the receiving end of such a system, and coaches must communicate only from the dugout or bench area. Violations carry a warning for the first offense; subsequent violations will result in ejection of any offenders and the head coach.
Surely, not all schools may be able to afford the technology, and some may just not use it at all. One coach told Central Jersey Sports Radio the technology may not be that much of a help since the catcher can’t communicate back. Additionally, they felt it might be more worthwhile for their players to learn how to communicate without it.
…And Older Technology:
The NFHS cleared up rules for wristbands worn by players in the field, allowing them as long as they are a “single, solid color.” In addition, a wristband worn by a pitcher may not contain the colors white or gray, not shall it “be distracting.” It doesn’t necessarily have to match the color of the uniform or longer sleeves of any shirt worn under a uniform, but it must be work on a player’s wrist of forearm, and pitchers must wear it on their non-pitching arm.
Previously, there were no regulations on arm or wristbands, and they had been worn in various places. The new rules aim toward uniformity.
Who’s The Boss?
The NFHS eliminated “spectators” from the list of those whose infractions could result in the forfeit a game. Its rationale is that “umpires have jurisdiction over the confines of the field, players, coaches and team/bench personnel. If there are issues with spectators, it is the responsibility of game management to deal with spectators and to ensure that the facility is safe for all involved.”
Last season, during a state playoff game at Rutgers Prep – in a game covered by Central Jersey Sports Radio – we observed a visiting fan who appeared to be supporting visiting Morris Catholic haranguing the umpires all game. Eventually, he sat on a ledge area about 15 feet from the backstop and continued to shout at them. The umpire ejected the fan from the game, and though he moved away and was quiet the rest of the game, he never left, instead mingling among the visiting fans.
In this instance, it would appear that it would now be up to school officials to handle the situation, rather than the umpires.
Standardized Pitch Count Rules
Last season, Ridge was disqualified from the state playoffs when they were made to forfeit a game after starter Connor Byrne threw 151 pitches, one over the maximum allowed by NJSIAA rules.
And though the rules were clear in print, they were also inconsistent. No pitcher can throw more than 110 pitches in a day, and 150 in a five-day period. Daily pitch limits can be reduced depending how much rest a pitcher has had since their last outing.
But the daily pitch limits allowed a pitcher to finish facing a batter, even if it meant going over that limit. While the five-day limit required a pitcher to come out of the game even if it was in the middle of an at mat.
To avoid confusion, the NJSIAA changed the rule back in September to make it uniform: pitchers are now allowed to finish facing a batter, regardless of which limit is reached.
Many coaches statewide supported the change for clarity’s sake, and the NJSIAA’s Chief Operating Officer and baseball director Tony Maselli told NJ.com after it was made that “Every one of these 150-pitch violations, the coach thought they could finish the batter. We’re saving the coaches from themselves with this rule.”