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Baseball Regular Season Pitch Count Rules

The eligibility of a player to pitch in a Little League® Baseball game is governed by a tiered pitch count that is tied to the number of pitches throw in a game. The pitch count determines how many days of rest are required before said player may pitch again in a Little League game.

 

Maximum Pitches Per Day is determined by league age. If limit is reached during an at bat you can finish out the batter.

            13 yrs  - 95 pitches

            11-12 yrs – 85 pitches

            9-10 yrs – 75 pitches

            7-8 yrs – 50 pitches

 

Days of Rest Requirement – Baseball pitchers 13 yrs and under must adhere to the below days of rest requirement. 

            66 plus pitches – 4 days rest = Monday you can pitch again on Saturday

            51-65 pitches – 3 days rest = Monday you can pitch again on Friday

            36-50 pitches – 2 days rest = Monday you can pitch again on Thursday

            21-35 pitches – 1 day rest = Monday you can pitch again on Wednesday

            20 or less pitches – zero days rest = you can pitch the following day

 

If a pitcher reaches a days of rest threshold while facing a batter, they may finish out the batter and only be charged with the previous threshold.  Ex:  Prior to facing a batter the pitcher is at 63 pitches.  The pitches throws six pitches to the next batter.  The pitcher is charged with the 51-65 pitch count and requires 3 days rest before pitching again.

 

 

Catcher to Pitcher and Back Requirements

1.      Any player that has played catcher for 4 or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on the same calendar day.

2.      A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more, may not return to the catcher position the same day.

3.      If the Catcher/Pitcher reaches the 20 pitch limit while facing a batter, they may complete the at bat and return to the catcher position.

4.      A player who has not played the position of catcher, may pitch up to 40 pitches (can continue to finish out a batter) and retain their eligibility to play catcher on that day.

 

A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Intermediate (50-70) only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.

Article on Arm Injuries
https://www.littleleague.org/university/articles/the-number-one-risk-of-arm-injuries-continues-to-be-year-round-play/

Pitching information on Baseball pitch counts and daily thresholds
https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/pitch-count/

·         Pitch Tracking

·         Pitcher Eligibility

Printable version
baseball regular season pitch count rules.docx

Regular Season Pitching Rules Softball

Regulation VI – PITCHERS

(a) Any player on the team roster may pitch. EXCEPTION: A player who has attained a league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League.

(b) Minors/Little League (Majors): A player may pitch in a maximum of twelve (12) innings in a day. If a player pitches in seven (7) or more innings in a day, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.

LITTLE LEAGUE (MAJORS) AND MINOR LEAGUE EXAMPLE 
If a player pitched in seven (7) or more innings on (Column A), that player can pitch again on (Column B):

 

Column A                                Column B

Sunday                                     Tuesday

Monday                                   Wednesday

Tuesday                                   Thursday

Wednesday                             Friday

Thursday                                 Saturday

Friday                                      Sunday

Saturday                                  Monday

 

(c) Minor/Major: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game but only once in the same inning as he/she was removed. A pitcher, withdrawn from the game offensively or defensively for a substitute, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.

(d) Little League (Major) Division: Not more than five (5) pitchers per team shall be used in one game.

 

NOTES:

1.        Minors/Little League (Majors): If doubleheaders are played, the limitation of twelve (12) innings in a calendar day would apply to each pitcher. A pitcher who pitches in the first game may pitch in the second game provided that pitcher has eligibility remaining.

2.        There is no limit to the number of pitchers of a particular league age group on a team that can be used. EXCEPTION: A player who has attained a league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League.


Printable copy
softball regular season pitching rules.docx

 

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