The following is a list of basic guidelines to follow provided by the MLB’s Pitch Smart Program in conjunction with USA Baseball. It is a pitcher-specific road map, and all our coaches should follow these foundational rules when managing the health of our pitchers and players in general. But you must ultimately follow Little League District 20’s rules for pitch counts and days of rest, as that will supersede any guideline provided by Major League Baseball or USA Baseball.
Little League District 20’s rules can be found here.
It is essential all our baseball coaches have a thorough understanding of these rules and guidelines as well as keeping an open line of communication open with our players to ensure their arms are healthy. It is also critically important to know a player’s throwing schedule with their travel team if applicable.
All pitch counts for every pitcher – whether the player throws 1 pitch or 85 pitches - must be recorded in-game and reported to your division coordinators after every game. This practice will help ensure the health and safety of all our players over the course of the season.
If you need a pitch count clicker, the Little League can provide one for you.
As a rule, no player who pitched on day 1 should throw a ball on day 2, whether there’s a practice, game or otherwise scheduled on consecutive days. So, if you have a game on Sunday and your pitcher makes 75 pitches, that player should not even pick up a ball on Monday if a practice or a game is scheduled.
Please advise all pitchers to ice their shoulders and elbows following any outing on the mound. Remember, warm up pitches are still stressful on a player’s arm, so even if the player throws 10 pitches in a game, there were still other pitches thrown to prepare for that outing.
If a player reports any pain or discomfort in their throwing arm, do not have them continue throwing and immediately inform the player’s parent as well as your division’s coordinator so the league’s safety officers can be informed. This applies to all players, not just pitchers.
Often times, a player may be exhibiting signs of an injury but will deny a problem in an effort to remain in a game. Please use your best judgment and err on the side of caution if you believe a player is hurting. Inform the parent and your coordinator even if you suspect a player is experiencing discomfort but is not acknowledging it.
(Typically 46-50' Pitching Distance)
- Focus on athleticism, physical fitness, and fun
- Focus on learning baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork
- Do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
- Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
- Make sure to properly warm up before pitching
- Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods
- Avoid throwing pitches other than fastballs and change-ups
- Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time
- Avoid playing catcher while not pitching
- Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day
- Monitor for other signs of fatigue
- Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers
- No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
AGE 9-10:
Daily Max Pitch count: 75
0 Days of rest, max pitch count: 1-20
1 day of rest, max pitch count: 21-35
2 days of rest, max pitch count: 36-50
3 days of rest, max pitch count: 51-65
4 days of rest, max pitch count: 66-75
AGE 11-12:
Daily Max Pitch count: 75-85
0 Days of rest, max pitch count: 1-20
1 day of rest, max pitch count: 21-35
2 days of rest, max pitch count: 36-50
3 days of rest, max pitch count: 51-65
4 days of rest, max pitch count: 66-85
REFERENCE: MLB Pitch Smart