AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association baseball committee finalized a proposal Tuesday that would restrict pitchers from throwing more than 110 pitches in a varsity game.

The proposal comes after the National Federation of State High School Associations, which establishes rules for high school sports across the nation, announced in July that all states must adopt a pitch count for the 2017 season. Many medical professionals, including Dr. William Heinz — a Portland orthopedist and liaison to the MPA sports medicine committee — feel a pitch count can help limit arm injuries.

NFHS is allowing each state to establish its own policy regarding pitch-count limits. Previously, Maine used an innings limit to determine a pitcher’s availability.

Under the baseball committee’s proposal, varsity pitchers throwing between 96 and 110 pitches will be required to have four days of rest before they can pitch again. Throwing between 66 and 95 pitches will require three days of rest, 40-65 pitches two days and 21-39 pitches one day of rest. Pitchers throwing 20 or fewer pitches will be allowed to pitch on consecutive days. Sub-varsity pitchers would max out at 85 pitches in a game.

The MPA’s full membership will vote Nov. 17 on the proposal.

The committee used states that already have a pitch count. While the committee quickly came to the 110-pitch maximum, debate centered on the amount of rest between games. Nick Caiazzo, president of the Maine Baseball Coaches Association, said four days of rest after throwing 110 pitches is a health concern, not a competitive one, and will force coaches to develop more pitchers rather than rely on one or two aces.

Erskine Coach Lars Jonassen, a liaison to the baseball committee, said he’s in favor of four days’ rest, but added coaches would also like more time in preseason to develop pitchers.

Speaking via conference call, Mike Lane, assistant principal at Sacopee Valley High School, said he expects the committee to get pushback from coaches, but it will fade as they adjust.

“Over time, it’s going to become normal,” Lane said.

Brewer High School Athletic Director David Utterback said he spoke to Forest Hills Athletic Director Anthony Amero, who expressed concerns the small schools have with a pitch-count rule. Small schools typically have fewer players/pitchers available. With Class D schools playing more doubleheaders than larger schools, a pitch count and required rest could make finding available pitchers difficult for some teams.

“Four days would be tough for them. Class D’s argument is very relevant,” Utterback said.

In addressing how to handle pitch counts for doubleheaders, the committee took the suggestion of Leavitt High School assistant principal Derek Galway. If a pitcher throws 20 or fewer pitches in the opener of a doubleheader, he may return in the second game for a maximum of 90 pitches. If the pitcher throws more than 20 pitches in game one, he is subject to one day of rest.

Much discussion was spent on enforcing the new rule and keeping track of pitches during a game. The committee looked at forms used in other states. Teams will designate a scorekeeper or coach to meet with a representative from the opposing team each inning to make sure pitch counts are monitored correctly. In the event of a dispute, the umpire will mediate, with the home team book being the official count. As is the rule now with the innings limit rule, a team found in violation of the pitch count rule will forfeit the game.

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