LCB Pitch Counts and Rest Requirements
The goal of LCB's pitch count and rest rules is to protect the arm health of pitchers by limiting their participation in the game at the pitcher position. The rules were designed with that goal in mind and will be enforced. Any questions about the Pitch Count and Rest Rules can be directed to a LCB Board member.
Pitch Counts
The rules state that pitchers cannot exceed a certain amount of pitches thrown per game. (The rule actually uses the phrase "pitches per day", but because we don't play doubleheaders, for us "per day" equals one game. For clarity, we refer to it as "per game".). Pitches per game is determined by a player's league age and assumes the older the player the more pitches he/she can throw and their arm can safely withstand.
| League Age * | Maximum Pitches Per Game |
| 13-15 | 95 |
| 11-12** | 85 |
| 9-10 | 75 |
| 7-8 | 50 |
*League age is based on the age of the player on April 30 of each year.
** Players playing down a league abide by the maximum pitch count of that age / league regardless of the player's age. For example, a player who is league age 11 and is playing down in Minor League will have a maximum pitch count per game of 75.
Rest Requirements
The rest rules are intended to complement the pitch counts and serve to control how often a pitcher can throw. This chart applies to all players league age 15 and younger:
| Pitches Thrown | Required Rest |
| 66 or more | 4 calendar days |
| 51-65 | 3 calendar days |
| 36-50 | 2 calendar days |
| 21-35 | 1 calendar day |
| 1-20 | no (0) calendar days |
*"Calendar day" does not include the day of the game.
Additional Pitch Count Rules
1. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
2. Any player who has played the position of catcher four or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
3. During the fall season, LCB does not employ the use of a scorekeeper. Therefore, in lieu of pitch counts, pitchers will be allowed to pitch 2 innings per game (3 innings in Juniors). For the purpose of this rule, any part of an inning pitched shall count as a full inning.
At LCB this rule applies to Minor, Major and Junior League.
It's important to keep in mind that just because there are set limits as to how many pitches a player can throw, that does not mean he or she should throw that many. Pitch counts are a guideline; fatigue should be the rule. Listening to one's own body is the best way to prevent injuries. If a pitcher's arm doesn't feel well, he or she should stop throwing immediately.
FAQs
Who designed the pitching rules? Many organizations involved with youth baseball, including Dixie Youth Baseball, Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth, Little League and others, have recognized the need to limit the amount of pitches thrown by young athletes and have instituted limits in their rules. LCB has followed suit.
Why are these kinds of pitching rules necessary? To protect the arm health of the players.
My child is capable of throwing more pitches than the rules allow. Why can't he? He or she can't because we believe that eventually they could be injured from overuse. Young arms need to be protected, and we take the long view.
What about pitchers who are playing up or down in a league not normally in their age group?The pitching rules are designed around an individual pitcher's league age and amount of pitches thrown. That said, if a player is "playing down" an age level (a player league-age 11 playing down in Minor League, for example), that player's maximum pitch count will be 75, equal to that of his or her 9 & 10 yr-old counterparts on the team.
Who keeps the pitch counts? Officially, it's the scorekeeper. However, the manager is ultimately responsible for knowing how many pitches a player has thrown and when he/she must be removed.
What if the manager and scorekeeper disagree on the pitch count? The scorekeeper keeps the official count. A manager can and should consult the scorekeeper often to ensure they agree, but ultimately what gets recorded in the scorebook is the official record.
Can a pitcher exceed the maximum number of pitches allowed in a game? In limited circumstances, yes. The rules allow for an at-bat to be completed by the pitcher even if he or she goes beyond the limit. The pitcher can throw to that batter until he reaches base, or is put out, or until the third out is made on a runner.
What if a game is suspended because of rain? If it is determined that the suspended game should resume and be completed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent they are eligible within the pitch count and rest rules.
Do the days of the games count when determining the calendar days' rest? No. When the rule refers to "calendar days" it means days between games. For example, if there is a game on Tuesday and the next game is Friday, there are 2 calendar days between those games - Wednesday and Thursday.
Do these rules apply to tournament play? Regular season and LCB tournament pitching rules are the same.
Do these rules apply to the Fall season? Yes. The same pitch count rules apply in both the Spring and Fall seasons.
What is "league age"? League age is the age a player has attained on April 30 of each year. For our Fall and Spring seasons LCB considers the player's league age the age he/she attains the following April 30.
Can a pitcher go to catcher in the same game? The rule states: "A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day." So, if the pitcher has thrown 40 pitches or fewer they can go in as catcher, but not if they've thrown 41 or more.
Can a catcher go to pitcher in the same game? In 2011 we implemented a rule indicating that catchers who have played 4 or more innings at that position may not pitch for the remainder of that calendar day. (Even having received only one pitch in the 4th inning makes the catcher ineligible to enter as pitcher in that same game. The rule reads "any part of four innings.") This is intended to protect the arm of the catcher, much in the same fashion as the rules protecting the pitchers' arms.