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Bailey: '100 pitch limit is (crap)'

By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted September 18, 2009 11:23 PM ET

Texans tend to do things just a little differently, and most often they stick together. So when Texas' patron saint of pitching says something, Texas pitchers listen.

Homer Bailey believes in the gospel according to Nolan Ryan. Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher, is now the Texas Rangers' club president and abolished the pitch count as the determining factor in determining when to pull a pitcher. Ryan argues that stamina is more important than numbers.

"We have to change this mindset," Ryan told USA Today earlier this year. "Some of the guys have been on a pitch count since Little League. It should be tailored to the individual. "These pitchers have to realize what their capabilities are, and build up their stamina. I remember it used to be that 300 innings was the benchmark for an ace. If you were a starter, you were expected to pitch at least 250 innings. Now, you may have one guy go 200 innings on your whole staff."

Bailey believes him.

"I feel better at 85, 90 pitches than when I start," Bailey said. "Once you get to 100, 110, that's when things are running on all cylinders. I think the 100-pitch limit is a bunch of... well, just put in a not-bad word. We're starters, you can ask Bronson (Arroyo) or (Aaron) Harang and they want pitches."

Bailey's final pitch was his fastest of the night, 96.8 mph, according to Pitch FX.

"I feel fine," Bailey said afterwards. "I'll be tired tomorrow, but I won't be sore. I'm don't get sore."

Bailey, 23, believes his training and all-around physical fitness is the most important part of his pitching routine. If he doesn't get tired, his mechanics won't get sloppy and his arm won't be taxed. The most important thing to him, he's discovered, is his fitness level. Bailey believes coming into camp in the best shape of his life has helped his pitching.

"That's why when it's December I'm on the track," Bailey said. "That's why we work out, that's why we throw."

Bailey works out alongside tennis star Andy Roddick among others, making sure he's in top physical form. So far this season, between the minors and the majors, he's thrown 184 innings combined between Cincinnati and Louisville. And he's not worried about the number.

Last season Bailey threw 147.2 innings, 120.2 in 2007 and 138.2 in 2006. In baseball studies, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus founded the Verducci Effect (based on the Verducci Rule, named after Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci) that showed pitchers under the age of 25 who have a jump of more than 30 innings are more likely to be injured. The Verducci rule is that they underperform the year after a jump of 30 innings.

But Bailey doesn't believe in that, nor does he believe in the Dusty Baker horror stories of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, whose arm troubles are always blamed on Baker and anytime a Red pitcher throws his 101st pitch, the message boards go crazy. On the internet, at least, Baker has already been found guilty of causing Edinson Volquez's injury, although looking back at his numbers, the Rangers could be found liable for his over use while there - but it's easier to blame and vilify Baker.

"I really and truly believe, if you're going to blow a shoulder out or an elbow out, it's going to happen," Bailey said. "I have a lot of trust in Dusty, he's been around this game for a long time. He knows what he's doing. I want the innings, I want 120 pitches every outing, that's what we bust our butts in the offseason for, that's what we throw every day for, that's what we lift during the season for. This is what we want to do. I don't think there's any avoiding it. The best thing we can do is be mechanically sound and as strong as possible. I have trust in that guy."

Baker said he's watching Bailey's pitch count, and doesn't want him exceeding 120 pitches in an outing.

"He's throwing the ball well, but we've got to preserve him, too," Baker said. "Down in AAA (120) was his limit, he's reached it a couple of times. He's been throwing the ball great."

Bailey points to the old timers, who threw 200 pitches in a four-man rotation without the benefit of modern medicine. In Japan, pitchers routinely throw 200 pitches in spring training.

"I think pitchers are coddled," Bailey said, noting that if your not used to throwing more than 100 pitches, of course you'll be tired after throwing 100.

So, even though his last six starts have consisted of pitch counts of 114, 115, 116, 117, 115 and 117 pitches, Bailey isn't worried.

"That's what we get paid to do," he said.

Categories: Cincinnati Reds, Featured Stories, Features

Tags: Dusty Baker, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Nolan Ryan