Little League Baseball and USA Baseball now have the same pitch limits and required rest periods. The only difference is the USA Basesball/MLB Pitch Smart limits and rest periods depending on the number of pitches thrown are recommendations, while Little League pitch limits [1] are mandatory and must be strictly followed, with each league required to designate a scorekeeper or official to track the pitch counts and to notify umpires when pitchers reach mandatory limits. A violation of the Little League pitch limit and mandatory rest rules may result in a protest of the game and, ultimately, a forfeit.
Age | Daily Max (Pitches) | Required Rest (Pitches) | Required Rest (Pitches) | Required Rest (Pitches) | Required Rest (Pitches) | Required Rest (Pitches) |
0 Days | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | ||
7-8 | 50* | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | N/A | N/A |
9-10 | 75* | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
11-12 | 85* | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
13-14 | 95* | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
15-16 | 95* | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76+ |
17-18 | 105 | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76+ |
A note of extreme caution to parents of youth baseball pitchers on independent travel and all-star teams competing in independently-operated tournaments: they may have NO rules at all on pitch limits and rest.
Parents also need to understand that if their child plays on mutiple teams, there may be little or no communication between coaches, and it may be up to them to keep track of their child's pitch counts and days off. Otherwise, their child may be at significant risk of an overuse injury to their elbow or shoulder that may require surgery.
"Ultimately," as the USA Baseball/MLB Pitch Smart website notes, "it is the responsibility of the parent and the athlete to ensure that the player follows the guidelines for his age group over the course of the year - given that he will oftentimes play in multiple leagues with different affiliations covering different times of the year."
USA Baseball/MLB recommend, and Little League Baseball and Dixie Baseball, have adopted the following recommendations regarding number of combined innings thrown and time off from overhand throwing:
Age |
Combined Innings Per Year |
Time Off From Throwing |
8 & Under | 60 |
At least 4 months with at least 2-3 being continuous |
9-12 | 80 | At least 4 months, with at least 2-3 being continuous |
13-14 | 100 | At least 4 months, with at least 2-3 being continuous |
15-18 | 100 | At least 4 months, with at least 2-3 being continouus |
* Pitch count limits include only pitches thrown during games and don't include:
Unfortunately, statistics recently published by Safe Kids International suggest that these recommendations are, all too often, ignored:
2. Valovich McLeod TC, Decoster LC, Loud KJ, Micheli LJ, Parker JT, Sandrey MA, White C. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries. J Ath. Tr. 2011;46(2):206-220.
Updated October 2, 2015
Links:
[1] https://mail.momsteam.com/sports/baseball/safety/2014-little-league-baseball-pitch-count-limits-and-mandatory-rest-periods
[2] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/3239
[3] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/2938
[4] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/3348
[5] https://mail.momsteam.com/sports/baseball/safety/preventing-pitching-injuries-in-youth-baseball
[6] https://mail.momsteam.com/sports/knowledge-usa-baseball-pitching-guidelines-poor-says-new-study
[7] https://mail.momsteam.com/overuse-blamed-for-youth-pitching-injuries-but-sliders-and-curveballs-still risk
[8] https://mail.momsteam.com/sports/preventing-pitching-injuries-multiple-teams-in-same-season-increases-risk