Pitching Limits in Little League Baseball and Softball
Little League Baseball, Inc., has always imposed limits on how much a pitcher may pitch. The limits were originally designed to encourage teams to develop additional pitchers, but since 2007, the baseball pitching limits have been made more stringent in an effort to protect hurlers’ arms. As a result, the pitching regulations for baseball and softball differ significantly. The softball regulations were further relaxed at the 2014 Little League International Congress.
Here is a summary of the current rules, as they apply to players in Rutherford Little League.
Baseball
Limit on Number of Pitches
The following limits apply for the number of pitches a pitcher may deliver in a single day. Baseball league age is the player’s age on April 30 of the playing year.
| League Age |
Maximum Pitches |
| 11-12 |
85 |
| 9-10 |
75 |
| 7-8 |
50 |
A pitcher who reaches the limit having thrown at least one pitch to the current batter may continue to pitch until that batter becomes a runner or is put out, or the inning ends, whichever comes first.
In Rutherford Little League, Baseball Local Rule 6.02 limits a pitcher at the Minor level to 3 innings in a game, in addition to the Little League limits noted above. Delivery of a single pitch in an inning constitutes pitching in that inning.
Required Rest Periods
The following rest periods apply for both regular season and tournament:
| Pitches Thrown |
Days Rest Needed |
| 66 and up |
4 |
| 51 to 65 |
3 |
| 36 to 50 |
2 |
| 21 to 35 |
1 |
| 1 to 20 |
0 |
A day’s rest is a full calendar day (not a period of 24 hours). Examples: A pitcher who throws 30 pitches on Friday is not eligible Saturday but is eligible Sunday. A pitcher who throws 70 pitches on Saturday is next eligible on Thursday.
Effective with the 2013 season, a player who reaches a days’ rest threshold while facing a batter may complete that batter (or the inning, whichever comes first), and the rest period will be determined based on the pitch count at the start of that batter. For example, a pitcher who is at 19 pitches when a new batter steps in will be considered at the 20-pitch threshold if removed after that batter. However, if the pitcher starts a new batter at 20 pitches, the 21-35 pitch threshold will apply.
Players Pitching and Catching in the Same Day
A player who has pitched 41 or more pitches may not play as catcher for the rest of the day.
A player who has played as the catcher in four or more innings may not pitch for the rest of the day. Receipt of a single pitch as catcher in an inning constitutes catching in that inning.
Softball
Limit on Number of Innings Pitched
The following limits apply for the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a game and in a calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). Softball league age is the player’s age on December 31 of the previous year:
| Level (League Ages) |
Per-Game Limit |
Per-Week Limit |
| Junior (12-14) |
No restriction |
No restriction |
| Major (9-12) |
12 innings |
No restriction |
| Minor (7-10) |
6 innings |
6 innings |
Delivery of a single pitch in an inning constitutes pitching in that inning.
Required Rest Periods
The following rest periods apply for the regular season:
| Level (League Ages) |
Innings Pitched |
Days Rest Needed |
| Junior (12-14) |
No restriction |
| Major (9-12) |
1-6 innings |
0 |
| 7 or more innings |
1 |
| Minor (7-10) |
1 inning |
0 |
| 2 or more innings |
1 |
A day’s rest is a full calendar day (not a period of 24 hours). A Major pitcher who throws in 7 innings on Monday may not pitch on Tuesday but may pitch on Wednesday .
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© Rutherford Little League, Inc. / updated 10-Apr-2017