Pitching Rules
To ensure the safety of its players and limit the potential for elbow and shoulder injuries, Little League imposes several strict requirements related to pitch count limits and mandatory rest. These rules restrict the number of pitches a pitcher can throw in a game and mandate designated rest periods for recovery.
Pitch count rules are strictly enforced and part of each manager’s responsibility. In addition, pitch count rules are enforced through either the official scorekeeper or official pitch-count recorder. The home team keeps and reports the official pitch count after each game, though it should be reported only after conferring with the visiting team’s pitch counter. Violation of pitch count rules can result in a protest of the game in which it occurs.
Pitch Count Limits
| 7-8 years old | 50 |
| 9-10 years old | 75 |
| 11-12 years old | 85 |
If a pitcher reaches the pitch-count limit for their age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base, the batter is retired, or the third out is made to complete the half-inning.
Mandatory Rest
| # of pitches in a day | # of days rest |
| 1-20 | No days of rest required |
| 21-35 | 1 day of rest |
| 36-50 | 2 days of rest |
| 51-65 | 3 days of rest |
| 66 or more | 4 days of rest |
Little League Pitch Count Log
Pitcher to Catcher Ban
Any pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game may not go behind the plate to play catcher for the remainder of the day. Any player who has played the position of catcher in four or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.