The PIAA plans to institute changes to limit the pitch count of high school pitchers starting next season.

The National Federation of State High School Associations has mandated state associations across the country to come up with new rules that restrict pitchers on the basis of pitch counts, rather than innings pitched. Since the PIAA follows NFHS rules, the changes will take place for the 2017 season.

With pitchers arms being overused across the country, including a Kansas teen throwing 157 pitches in a 10-inning playoff game this past season, a reason for change has been prompted.

Each state will be able to draw up their own set of rules. The current system limits pitchers by innings thrown, rather than individual pitch counts.

Under the current rules, a pitcher who threw four or five innings, needed two days rest before throwing again. A pitcher who threw six or more innings, needed three days rest and a pitcher had a cap of 14 innings of work per week.

The PIAA baseball steering committee will meet to draw up the new rules and then will need to have them approved by the PIAA board of directors.