The pitch count just became a key and possibly game-changing statistic in the Northwoods League.

The league on Friday announced official guidelines for pitch counts, including limits on innings and games, plus mandated rest periods for pitchers.

La Crosse Loggers manager Andy McKay played a leading role in forming the new rules, which he said are designed to protect young pitchers' arms.

"The guidelines come directly out of minor league baseball," McKay said. "It it harder for some people to manage now? Absolutely. But this is completely in the best interest of these kids."

McKay said he spoke to NWL President Dick Radatz Jr. during the season about implementing formal rules on pitch counts.

"I talked to him about some things I saw going on that were not in the best interest of our athletes and told him we need to do something about it," McKay said. "I did research and got numbers. There's no way in the world we should be allowing our guys to throw more than what they're allowed in the low minors."

Here is a summary of the rules:

• A pitcher will not be allowed to start a new inning if he's thrown 100 or more pitches in a game.
• If a pitcher reaches the 110-pitch mark, he will be required to be removed at the end of the at-bat.
• If a pitcher throws 30 or more pitches in a single inning, he will not be allowed to return for the next inning.
• Pitchers who reach 100 pitches in a game must be given five full days of rest before their next appearance.
• If a pitcher throws 85 to 99 pitches in an appearance, he must be given four full days of rest before pitching again.
• Pitchers working on a no-hitter will be allowed some leeway, but still could not begin a new inning once they've thrown 120 pitches.

Managers failing to adhere to the guidelines will be subject to suspension.

Radatz said the rules, which he believes are unique to summer college baseball, will allow the league to preserve pitchers' arms and send athletes back to their college programs healthy.

"Because we play more games than any other summer league, we've been fighting a perception that pitchers come here and throw more innings than they would somewhere else," Radatz said. "That's not reality. We've done things like expand rosters from 22 to 24 to 26, and these rules will enhance our effort to use pitchers in a proper manner."

McKay said the rules will help NWL teams recruit pitchers. Most NWL teams lose pitchers during the summer when they are asked to "shut down" and return home to preserve wear on their arms.

"College coaches will love it," McKay said. "If they send a player to the Northwoods League, they will have this guarantee."

Madison Mallards manager C.J. Thieleke said he approves of the new guidelines for the most part.

"It'll be interesting; it's just another wrinkle on the game management side of things," Thieleke said. "The only rule that confuses me is 30 pitches in one inning. I think if common sense is used, (30 pitches) aren't the end-all to say he can't pitch more.

"But if it keeps 'em healthy, I'm all for that."