Norris Throws 150 pitches in Non-Elimination Game

[NETFan]

I can't believe that Edwards would risk the arm of the #1 2011 in the country by throwing him 146 pitches in a non-elimination game. Some say he threw almost 70 curve balls in the game. He had a good game of 18 K's but he also had 9 walks and 3 hbp's.

I just don't see how you take a chance of pitching the kid that many pitches when he also pitched 34 in the game Saturday along with warming up for the 9 innings in 4 days. That is close to abuse. I hope it is worth the win for him risking a kid's health for a win.

[slacker]

I know Reed would not have allowed Daniel to pitch that many pitches. Almost 200 pitches not counting warm ups in 4 days is rediculous. I can not believe that the Science Hill fans or Daniel's parents would allow Edwards to risk his arm for a non-elimination game. I know for a fact that Edwards pitched a fit when Daniel played for the Jr. Toppers and pitched 114 pitches in a Dizzy Dean world series championship game. What is Edwards thinking? What is Science Hill thinking?

[dadtimesfive]

Non-elimination or not that is crazy. People dont like the pitch count in little league, but it takes ignorance and all about the win out of the equation.

[3-6-3]

you pitch counters are crazy... every body is different - what one guy can do another can't - go count your own pitches

[dadtimesfive]

you pitch counters are crazy... every body is different - what one guy can do another can't - go count your own pitches

Tell that to this kid when he is the star of his adult mens softball team cause he cant pitch anymore.

[developingtalent]

edwards sold his soul to the devil tonight, notice i didn't say coach, norris wasn't even close to being on tonight & edwards risk the future of the brightest athlete we have seen around here. everybody better go watch norris in the regional game cause it could be the last time we get to see him pitch in high school cause he just might go to east cobb and stay there this summer to keep from risking injury. play football norris you will be safer under carters eye than edwards incompetence.

[Coach Shelton]

Johnson City Press is reporting this as a no hitter. It's a tough call to pull a kid in a no hitter. Each Coach has to evaluate the player and the situation and Science Hill is a proven program. I am sure they evaluated both the situation and the player and made what they thought was the best decision. Mistake or not, if they go to the State tourney, you same guys will be praising his decisions. I am sure the kid will get rest and be fine in 4-5 days.

[slacker]

No. I disagree Coach. When a kid has thrown 34 pitches and warmed up 2 days earlier, then throws 146 pitches in a day that is abuse. There is not a playoff game that is worth hurting a kid's arm, especially a kid who is projected as a first round draft pick. This was abuse. I can't believe that they would do this as much as they have protected Daniel's record. He is a great pitcher but he will not be if Edwards continues this. As has been stated, his advisors will probably suggest to him to not play next year for Edwards if this is how he is going to treat him. It is called being a man and telling him you care more about him than a win, but I reckon that is not the case. Edwards is more concerned with wins than players.

[johnson2]

Coach Shelton hit the nail on the head. Its a tough call to pull a kid in a no hitter and anybody who knows Norris will tell you he is a competitor and won't let the ball be taken out of his hand in that situation. As fans, we do not get to know the whole story and I'm sure that the Science Hill coaching staff made the best decision. Remember that COACH Edwards was a pitching coach at the Division One level so I would put more stock in his opinion than any of ours anyway. Daniel has a bright future as anyone can see but it seems to me you guys were more looking to jump on Coach Edwards than anything else. JMO. I'm sure he the coaching staff will see that he gets the proper amount of rest before Region next week. The win last night guaranteed them of making region the way I understand it, so its not like the game was for nothing, even though it was not an elimination game as you say. They would have been in an elimination game had they lost that one. Now they are set up well and Daniel can come back in time for Region.

[johnson2]

Also, I have had the opportunity to observe Coach Edwards and his coaching style and anyone who thinks that he cares more about winning than he does about his players is not very smart. Its an absolutely ridiculous and ludicrous statement. I have played for and been around several baseball coaches at various levels and I can honestly say I have seen few who care about their boys more than Coach Edwards does. He is a good man and a good role model for those kids.

[LeatherBalls]

You know whats the intriguing part here? 15 years ago this conversation wouldn't have come up. I threw 7 innings on a Monday then threw 7 more on a Thursday back in the day. No counters, no nothing. I just thought that was what had to be done. I agree that 146 may be a stretch because I'd figure his fatigue would become the big factor and his location would struggle. I agree that what one can do, others can't. That statement is totally true. We have grown into this "pitch count" culture. It's gotten into the minds of everyone and everyone believes it, so our mind worries trouble. I had a elbow & shoulder specialist tell me that. It's more about physical conditioning than anything.

 

I don't know this kid or coach, but sounds like a little coaching witch hunt here.

[slacker]

This is not a witch hunt. It is a wake up call. Edwards did not think this through. Jeff Reed would have never have let Daniel throw that many pitches after throwing 34 2 days earlier. I believe that Edwards let his desire to win override his protection of the player that was given to him. The fact that he was a college coach should mean that he would know better. There is no way that a college coach would pitch a player 180 pitches plus 9 innings of warmup pitches in 3 days.

We tell our teenagers to know what they will do before they are in situations so that they make good decisions. I hope all coaches will read this and know that this is not an accepted practice in high school athletics. I hope Edwards will realize that he put Daniel's arm at risk for a win. There is not a high school game, even a state championship, that is worth putting a player's health at risk.

I suggest you read about arm injuries and all the specialists will say that there needs to be pitch counts to protect the players. Daniel is a competitor and would never pull himself. That is why we pay adult coaches to make those tough decisions.

What if there is permanent damage? Is a no-hitter game against Crockett worth that?