Pitch Count Rules for Farm & Varsity
- For purposes of determining rest periods, a rest period is defined as a full calendar day immediately following the day on which a pitcher last threw.
- Pitch counts and rest periods are calculated on a rolling basis that is based on when the pitcher last threw. There is no defined “pitching week” after which pitch counts automatically reset.
- There are no special pitching rules for rainouts and rescheduled games. All pitching rules apply regardless of when the game is played and must be observed.
Farm Division:
- The pitching limits for the Farm Division will be 40, 60 & 85.
- Farm pitchers who throw 40 or less pitches in a game will have a 1-day rest period. If a pitcher threw 1-40 pitches and is pitching on less than 2 full days of rest, they are limited to 60 pitches maximum for the second game and then the normal 2-day rest period must be observed.
- Example – If a pitcher throws 35 pitches on Monday, he or she would be eligible to pitch again on Wednesday but would be limited to 60 pitches.
- Farm pitchers who throw 41-60 pitches in a game will have a mandated 2-day rest period before pitching in another game.
- Farm pitchers who throw 61-85 pitches in a game will have a mandated 3-day rest period before pitching in another game. No player will pitch more than 85 pitches in a game.
- Example – If a pitcher throws 85 pitches on Monday, he or she must observe a mandatory 3 full day rest period and would not be eligible to pitch again until Friday.
- Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
- Any player that delivers more than 60 pitches for the Farm Division (exception included), may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
- Each Head Coach must designate a scorekeeper or team representative as the official pitch count recorder. The Home Team is the official count if there is any conflict.
Varsity Division:
- The pitching limits for the Varsity Division will be 40, 65 & 90.
- Varsity pitchers who throw 40 or less pitches in a game will be eligible to pitch the next day. If a pitcher threw 1-40 pitches and is pitching on less than 2 days of rest, they are limited to 65 pitches maximum for the second game and then the normal 2-day rest period must be observed.
- Example – If a pitcher throws 35 pitches on Tuesday, he or she would be eligible to pitch again on Wednesday but would be limited to 65 pitches.
- Varsity pitchers who throw 41-65 pitches in a game will have a mandated 2-day rest period before pitching in another game.
- Varsity pitchers who throw 65-90 pitches in a game will have a mandated 3-day rest period before pitching in another game. No player will pitch more than 90 pitches in a game.
- Example – If a pitcher throws 90 pitches on Tuesday, he or she must observe a mandatory 3 full day rest period and would not be eligible to pitch again until Saturday.
- Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
- Any player that delivers more than 65 pitches for the Varsity Division (exception included), may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
- Each Head Coach must designate a scorekeeper or team representative as the official pitch count recorder. The Home Team is the official count if there is any conflict.
Exception:
If a pitcher reaches the limit for his/her division age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs. (1) That batter reaches base; (2) That batter is put out; (3) The third out is made to complete the half-inning. The additional pitches DO NOT count against his/her weekly pitch count. This exception applies to the lower limit as well.