NUEVO – The Nuview Bridge High School baseball team is no stranger to success on the diamond, nor are they unfamiliar with the rules for playing in the postseason, for the most part. What did get away from them in their first playoff game Thursday, May 4, in the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs, was a mismanagement surrounding individual pitch-limit rules.
The Knights, who went 14-6 overall and 12-0 to win the South Valley League this season, and outscored their opponents 204-96 on the field, were scheduled to play Brentwood High School (12-8) in a second-round game after beating Littlerock 4-0 in their first-round matchup.
Unfortunately, a pitch count violation of bylaw 1500 and 1501 was cited, which allowed Littlerock (13-14) to advance, putting an end to Nuview Bridge’s season. Individual pitchers cannot surpass 30 outs or three appearances in a calendar week. There are also rules in place that prohibit excessive pitches on consecutive days.
The Knights baseball program, who represent a charter school of more than 600 students, have gone 111-63 over its last 10 seasons and made it to the three straight playoffs, including a playoff appearance prior to the pandemic in 2019. Littlerock hosted, and fell to Brentwood 5-0 Tuesday, May 9, ending their season run. Brentwood will face a familiar name as they stay home to take on Wildomar’s Cornerstone Christian in a quarterfinal matchup Friday, May 12.
See the CIF rules and its release on the ruling by visiting www.cifss.org/sports/baseball.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
