PITCHING RULES – MINOR
1. PITCH COUNT –
(Please note that PITCHER REST RULES apply.)
· On Opening Day through the first two (2) weeks of the season, a pitcher is permitted to throw a maximum of 35 pitches per game.
· Beginning on Sunday, March 26, a pitcher is permitted to throw a maximum of 45 pitches per game.
· Beginning on Sunday, April 9, a pitcher is permitted to throw a maximum of 55 pitches per game.
· Beginning on Sunday, April 23, a pitcher is permitted to throw a maximum of 65 pitches per game.
· A pitcher is permitted to throw a maximum of 85 pitches per week.
Exception – If a pitcher has reached the game or weekly limit while facing a batter, the pitcher can continue to pitch until the current batter reaches base or is put out. However, applicable PITCHER REST RULES will still apply.
2. PITCHER REST RULES –
(Please note that while the PITCH COUNTS reset each Sunday, the days of rest do not.)
· If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed. A player who has pitched 1-20 pitches may pitch back to back days.
· If a player pitches 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 41-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed
· If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed
Examples:
If a pitcher pitches 20 pitches or fewer on Monday, then he can pitch again on Tuesday.
· If a pitcher pitches 21-40 pitches on Monday, then he would not be eligible to pitch again until Wednesday.
· If a pitcher pitches 41-60 pitches on Monday, then he would not be eligible to pitch again until Thursday.
· If a pitcher pitches 61-75 pitches on Monday, then he would not be eligible to pitch again until Friday.
3. All pitches to a batter will count toward the pitch count. There will be no automatic walks. A pitcher must pitch four balls outside of the strike zone with no swing by the batter to issue an intentional walk.
4. Coaches are required to keep their own pitch count for their pitchers. However, the HOME BOOK will be used in the event of a discrepancy. Coaches are encouraged to validate PITCH COUNTS between innings. If a manager or coach is suspected of purposely manipulating a pitch count, a protest must be made to the League President. Any manager or coach not adhering to the pitch count rules or caught purposely manipulating the pitch count rule WILL BE SUSPENDED ONE (1) GAME. At the discretion of the League President and the Discipline Committee, additional disciplinary action may apply.
5. A pitcher removed from the mound for any reason shall not return to the mound to pitch during the same game. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the game. Any player who has played the position of catcher in four or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch in that game(catching one pitch in an inning counts as an entire inning).
6. A pitcher shall not pitch in more than six innings in a calendar week (Monday through Sunday). For the purpose of this rule, one pitch in an inning shall be counted as an entire inning.