Rule change for 2009

All bats MUST have a Bat Performance Rating (BPR) of 1.15 or less printed on the bat or they may not be used!

Wooden bats are an exception to the rule.

Regulation VI - PITCHERS What is changed: Increases the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then be permitted to become a catcher in that day; Provides a second option for required rest; Deleted (e.) and moved that text up so that it applies only to Option 1.

(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)

(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Junior, Senior, and Big League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.

(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:

League Age 17-18              105 pitches per day

                     13-16               95 pitches per day

                     11-12               85 pitches per day

                      9-10                  75 pitches per day

                       7-8                    50 pitches per day

Exception: Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league 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. Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

Prior to the start of the regular season the local league Board of Directors (or leagues involved in interleague play) must choose one of the following pitching rule options to be used by all teams in the league or a specific division during the regular season. NOTE: The local league Board (or leagues involved in interleague play) may select option 1 or option 2 but may not pick parts of option 1 and option 2 to make a local league rule.

 Option 2: (EAST FREDERICK IS FOLLOWING THIS OPTION)

(d) Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:

 • If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.

 • If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.

 • If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.

 • If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

(e) DELETED for 2009

(f) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.

(g) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.

(h) The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.

(i) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.

(j) A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players) (k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. (Exception: In the Big League Division, a player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day.)

NOTES:

1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Little League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.

 2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.

 3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.

Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest.

Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest.

Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous three days (or four days, if the league is using Option 2).

Note: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility.