WEST HARTFORD LITTLE LEAGUE 2017 PITCHING RULES Last
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WEST HARTFORD LITTLE LEAGUE 2017 PITCHING RULES Last revised April 2017 Each player is allowed a certain number of pitches per day based on two criteria: age and calendar. With respect to age, the pitch maximum is determined by a player’s age as of April 30, 2017. The table below outlines the pitch total maximums for each age level: League Age* Maximum pitches per day 12 years old 85 pitches 11 years old 85 pitches 10 years old 75 pitches 9 years old 75 pitches 8 years old 50 pitches * player age as of April 30, 2017 Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed by the above maximum's for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occur: 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. Note 2: Any player, who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. With respect to the calendar, NO pitcher will be allowed to pitch more than 60 pitches in any game through the third Sunday of the regular season (for 2017 this is May 7, 2017). On May 8th, all pitch counts will move to the maximums as described in the table above. Pitch Counts and Days of Rest The following pitch count and rest schedule will be observed by West Hartford Little League. The pitch count and rest schedule shall include all pitches thrown in any official game, regardless of league (e.g. West Hartford Youth Baseball, for those players who are dual rostered). If a player is dual rostered, it will be the player’s parent’s responsibility to report the last game pitched and number of pitches thrown to their player’s coach to ensure the pitch count and days of rest guidelines are followed. Pitch count Rest schedule 66 up to the maximum Four (4) calendar days of rest 51 -- 65 Three (3) calendar days of rest 36 – 50 Two (2) calendar days of rest 21 – 35 One (1) calendar day of rest 0 – 20 No (0) calendar days of rest A day of rest begins on the morning AFTER the day the player pitched. It is irrelevant as to what time the player pitched. 1 April 2017 For Example: John Smith (a twelve year old) pitches 70 pitches for his team on Sunday. John’s four days of rest are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He is eligible to pitch again on Friday. This is regardless of what time on Sunday John pitched. These days of rest hold true for the entire season. There is no distinction between games played before the third Sunday or after. Pitching Distances Minors League Division All pitchers will pitch from a distance of 42 feet from the plate. No pitcher can throw more than 50 pitches in a game. Major League and AAA Divisions All pitchers will pitch from a distance of 46 feet from the plate. Pitcher Eligibility Under certain circumstances a pitcher is exempt from the standard playing minimums established by West Hartford Little League. A starting pitcher can remain in the game as long as they have not reached their pitch count maximums. Player starts the game as the Starting Pitcher: a. Starting pitcher can pitch all 6 innings (as long as within the pitch count rule) - this player does not have to play the outfield. b. Starting pitcher pitches innings 1 through 5 - this player can sit out the 6th inning, or play the field - but the field position must be the outfield (3 defensive outs). c. Starting pitcher pitches innings 1 and 2, or innings 1 through 3, or innings 1 through 4 - this player must play one of the last remaining innings in the outfield (3 defensive outs). Player comes in to pitch later in the game - not the starting pitcher: a. Player comes in to pitch in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th inning and has not played in the outfield yet - this player must still play the outfield for 1 inning (3 defensive outs) later in the game. This player would have to be pulled from the pitcher position to meet the requirement. b. Player comes in to pitch in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th inning and has played in the outfield (3 defensive outs) - this player has met the outfield requirement. Player arrives late and the game has already started and this player comes in to pitch: a. This player can pitch any number of the remaining innings, but for at least one of the remaining innings this player must play in the outfield (3 defensive outs). Examples: i. Player arrives in the 3rd inning - if the player plays the outfield (3 defensive outs) in the 3rd inning this player could pitch the remainder of the game innings 4, 5 & 6. ii. Player arrives in the 3rd inning and goes in to pitch - this player would have to be removed as the pitcher later in the game to meet the one inning outfield (3 defensive outs) requirement. 2 .