There is empirical proof and data that show pitch counts limit injuries and arm problems in the long run.------
REALLY??? Please show me this source exactly, I've never had anyone show me true evidence of this...lots of talk like yours, but its always comes up inconclusive either way. Actually you are probably correct on this somewhat,,,hell if you only pitch 10 pitches a game, chances are your odds of getting injured are lower. How about 20 pitches?, 38? What about 180?
Go look at opponent OPS vs. pitchers for when a pitcher has thrown 100+ pitches.----- So pitch 101 is the killer huh? That's just nutty,, seems wierd that you can be chugging along fine on pitch 99 and then,,,,,, BAM!!! --Danger Danger!!!!! that magic triple digit # comes up and you have to get off that mound STAT!!!
As with every pitching change decision it is a case by case basis and you would have to be watching the game to get a feel for what is going on at that time.---- See here is where you contradict yourself IMO and actually make my case for me. This is exactly why some "magic" PC# doesn't apply. Maybe our wires are crossed on this, I don't know.
Here's my stance on this. I just ask that your really think about this and try to put aside your preconseptions you may have aquired from being force fed the crap by the sports media for the past 25 years.
Think of pitching,, like working out, you can lift all fricking day as long if you just do a few reps,,, rest for 5 minutes repeat,,, rest for 5 minutes, repeat. ect.., Now if you do 25 reps, take 15 seconds off,, 25 reps,,15 seconds off,,ect ect.. your going to tiered out quick, and risk fn' up your moneymaker.. What I'm saying in a longwinded manner, is that it's not the pitches in a game so much that are risky,, it's the LONG innings and amount of recovery time between half innings that should be monitered, (that includes too long of down time also).