Little League of Somerville MA: Pitch Count Rule

Friday, November 3
Little League International Announces Changes to 2008 pitching rules
VI -- PITCHERS
(a) Any player on the team roster may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)
EXCEPTION: A player who has attained a league age twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League.
[CHALLENGER: Although use of the batting tee or coach pitch is strongly recommended, any player on the roster may pitch.]
(b) Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers; 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.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Note the change in the wording effective for the 2007 season; “but only once per game.” They can still move a pitcher to another position (remaining in the game) and bring him/her back to pitch later but only one time during that entire game. The limitation to “once per game” was inserted to protect the pitchers arm because it cools down and then when the pitchers fires back up again upon reentry to the pitching position it is very hard on the arm.
(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: 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 that batter until any of the follow 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: A pitcher who delivers one or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
(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, three (3) calendar days of rest, and a game (see e. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 – 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a game (see e. below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 – 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1 – 20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest, and a game (see e. below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 – 75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a game (see e. below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 – 50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1 – 25 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed.
(e) A player may not pitch in consecutive games. Exception – League Age 16 and under – A player may pitch in consecutive games if 40 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game. League Age 17 – 18 – A player may pitch in consecutive games if 50 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game.
(f) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.
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Little League Baseball Umpire School Rules Instruction Manual
Instructor Comments:
The “official pitch count recorder” can be the scorekeeper, a separate individual to just keep track of pitches, the home team manager/coach, but someone must be designated to keep track.
(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 long 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)
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.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
“Before a ball is pitched” means to a batter. When warming up, if a pitcher is discovered to be ineligible, he/she must be removed and the previous pitcher may not return. Once the manager/coach makes his/her intentions known by removing the original pitcher, the original pitcher may not return. If the ineligible pitcher is discovered “before a ball is pitched: remove the ineligible pitcher and a protest may not be filed, however, if the ineligible pitcher is discovered after “a ball is pitched” the ineligible pitcher is removed and the opposing team may protest, if desired. However, the protest must be made to the umpire before the umpire(s) leave the field at the end of the game.
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 three 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 three 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 days.
NOTE: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Umpires and Scorekeepers must be aware of the eligible and ineligible pitchers. Do not wait until the opposing manager complains.
A good rule of thumb for all umpires is to inquire during the pre-game conference with the managers, by asking, “Who is ineligible to pitch?” and then recording this information on the lineup card.
Don’t hold the game up because one team challenges the eligibility by trying to track down the official scorebooks or a board member. Note the challenge in the scorebook and get on with the game.
5
Little League Baseball Umpire School Rules Instruction Manual
VI -- PITCHERS (MINOR & MAJOR SOFTBALL)
This regulation applies only to the Little League (Majors) Division and Minor League.
(a) Any player on the team roster may pitch.
EXCEPTION: A player who has attained a league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League.
[CHALLENGER: Although use of the batting tee or coach pitch is strongly recommended, any player on the roster may pitch.]
(b) Little League (Majors) Division: If a player pitches in more than one (1) inning, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. A player may pitch in a maximum of nine (9) innings in a day. A player may pitch in a maximum of eighteen (18) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
Minor Division: If a player pitches in more than one (1) inning, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. A player may pitch in a maximum of six (6) innings in a game. A player may pitch in a maximum of six (6) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
EXAMPLE -
If a player pitched in two or more innings on: (Column A): and is still eligible, that player can pitch again on (Column B):
Column A Column B
Sunday..............................................................................................Tuesday
Monday........................................................................................Wednesday
Tuesday...........................................................................................Thursday
Wednesday...........................................................................................Friday
Thursday..........................................................................................Saturday
Friday.................................................................................................Sunday
Saturday............................................................................................Monday
(c) A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitch anytime in the remainder of the game but only once in the same inning as she/he was removed.
(d) Little League (Majors) Division: Not more than five (5) pitchers per team shall be used in one game.
EXCEPTION: In case of injury to a fifth pitcher an additional pitcher may be used.
[MINOR LEAGUE: There is no limit of five pitchers in a game in Minors.]
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Injury to a fifth pitcher can also mean illness. If a team insists on using a sixth pitcher, a protest may be lodged and the local league Protest Committee will be required to meet and make a decision on the game.
(e) 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.
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.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
“Before a ball is pitched” means to a batter. When warming up, if a pitcher is discovered to be ineligible, he/she must be removed, and the previous pitcher may not return. Once the manager/coach makes his/her intentions known by removing the original pitcher, the original pitcher may not return. If the ineligible pitcher is discovered “before a ball is pitched”, remove the ineligible pitcher and a protest may not be filed. However, if the ineligible pitcher is discovered after “a ball is pitched” remove the ineligible pitcher and the opposing team may protest, if desired.
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Little League Baseball Umpire School Rules Instruction Manual
2. Innings pitched in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility for that week. Note (1): In suspended games resumed in a subsequent week, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their remaining eligibility for that game and calendar week, whichever is less. (2) Innings pitched in games that do not complete one (1) full inning shall not count towards a pitcher’s total for that particular pitching week.
3. Little League (Majors) Division: If doubleheaders are played, the limitation of nine (9) innings in a calendar day would apply to each pitcher. A pitcher who pitches in the first game may pitch in the second game provided that pitcher has eligibility remaining.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Umpires and Scorekeepers must be aware of the eligible and ineligible pitchers. Do not wait until the opposing manager complains.
A good rule of thumb for all umpires is to inquire during the pre-game conference with the managers, by asking, “Who is ineligible to pitch?” and then recording this information on the lineup card.
Don’t hold up the game because the eligibility is challenged by one team by trying to track down the official scorebooks or a board member. Note the challenge in the scorebook and get on with the game.
4. There is no limit to the number of pitchers of a particular league age group on a team that can be used in a calendar week
EXCEPTION: A player who has attained a league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Nine innings in a calendar day can amount to a variety of innings configurations. A pitcher may start both games, relieve in both games, start one and finish the other, etc., as long as the nine-inning provision is followed.
VI -- PITCHERS (JUNIOR, SENIOR & BIG LEAGUE SOFTBALL)
(a) Any player on the team roster may pitch.
(b) If a player pitches in less than five (5) innings, no rest is required. If a player pitches in five (5) or more innings, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed. A player may pitch in a maximum of ten (10) innings in a day, and a maximum of thirty (30) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
EXAMPLE -
If a player pitched in five or more innings on: (Column A): and is still eligible, that player can pitch again on (Column B):
Column A Column B
Sunday..............................................................................................Tuesday
Monday........................................................................................Wednesday
Tuesday...........................................................................................Thursday
Wednesday..........................................................................................Friday
Thursday..........................................................................................Saturday
Friday.................................................................................................Sunday
Saturday............................................................................................Monday
(c) 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 in the same inning as she/he was removed.
(d) Not more than five (5) pitchers per team shall be used in one game.
EXCEPTION: In case of injury to a fifth pitcher an additional pitcher may be used.
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Little League Baseball Umpire School Rules Instruction Manual
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Injury to a fifth pitcher can also mean illness. If a team insists on using a sixth pitcher a protest may be lodged and the local league Protest Committee will be required to meet and make a decision on the game.
(e) 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.
NOTES:
1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch has been 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.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
“Before a ball is pitched” means to a batter. When warming up, if a pitcher is discovered to be ineligible, he/she must be removed and the previous pitcher may not return. Once the manager/coach makes his/her intentions known by removing the original pitcher, the original pitcher may not return. If the ineligible pitcher is discovered “before a ball is pitched” remove the ineligible pitcher and protest may not be filed, however, if the ineligible pitcher is discovered after “a ball is pitched” the ineligible pitcher is removed and the opposing team may protest, if desired.
2. Innings pitched in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility for that week. Note (1): In suspended games resumed in a subsequent week, the pitcher of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their remaining eligibility for that game and calendar week, whichever is less. (2) Innings pitched in games that do not complete one (1) full inning shall not count towards a pitcher’s total for that particular pitching week.
3. If doubleheaders are played the limitation of ten (10) innings in a calendar day would apply to each pitcher. A pitcher who pitches in the first game may pitch in the second game provided that pitcher has eligibility remaining.
4. There is no limit to the number of pitcher of a particular league age group on a team that can be used in a calendar week.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Umpires and Scorekeepers must be aware of the eligible and ineligible pitchers. Do not wait until the opposing manager complains.
A good rule of thumb for all umpires is to inquire during the pre-game conference with the managers, by asking, “Who is ineligible to pitch?” and then recording this information on the lineup card.
Don’t hold up the game because one team challenges the eligibility by trying to track down the official scorebooks or a board member. Note the challenge in the scorebook and get on with the game.