COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved a proposal Thursday morning to extend the baseball season one week starting with the 2019 season.
The Board of Directors voted 7-2 to pass the Ohio High Baseball Coaches Association proposal. The one-week extension is only for baseball.
It was based upon pitch counts, which were put into place by the OHSAA during the spring of 2017. The OHSAA implemented a National Federation of State High School Association rule that limits baseball pitchers to 125 pitches daily.
WCPO previously reportedin 2017 the Board of Directors considered a two-week extension to the season.
The reasoning for that proposal at the time was that smaller schools with fewer players have a more difficult time allowing rest for their pitchers when they are required to have at least one day off after throwing 30 or more pitches in a game.
Increasing the number of available game dates may offer additional protection for the player and allow more opportunities for schools to utilize their pitchers while also developing younger players.
The inclement weather around the state this spring also probably added to the decision, according to OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Jerry Snodgrass.
Spring is the shortest of the three high school sports seasons in Ohio.
WCPO previously reported that Ohio has the shortest length of season to play the permitted number of games compared to surrounding states.
The 2019 baseball season would likely start March 23. Although the OHSAA has not confirmed the dates, the state tournament would likely be scheduled for June 6-8 with the one-week adjustment.
This year's state baseball tournament is scheduled for May 31-June 2 at Huntington Park in Columbus.
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