Local League Adoption of Little League International Pitch Count Amendments for 2009 Rules
[See December 8, 2008 BRLL BoD meeting minutes: Rich reported on the district meeting discussion of the revised Pitch Count rules for 2009, resulting from ambiguous language and confusion in the interpretation of the 2008 rules.Local leagues are presented with two options to adopt, and after discussion, the board accepted Rich’s recommendation to follow the ‘straight days of rest’ (rather than the ‘and game’) count].
Selection of BRLL ~
Option 2:
(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.
Oct. 3, 2007 -- NOW OUTDATED but retained for reference
Dear Little League Volunteers:
Updated as of 11 a.m. ET, 10/3/07
As you know, the 2007 season was the first in which a mandatory pitch count was used in all baseball divisions of Little League.
The program has been an unqualified success, as districts and local leagues understood and embraced the important reasons for the change. They have done outstanding work in putting the regulation into effect.
We also are grateful for the continued support of Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Glenn Fleisig, who contributed invaluable data and advice in crafting the Pitch Count Pilot Program in 2005-’06, as well as the regulations and tournament rules in 2007. Dr. Andrews is the chairman and medical director for the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham , Ala. , and Dr. Fleisig is the research director at ASMI. They are the world’s foremost authorities on the subject of pitching-related injuries.
As noted when the regulations were first introduced, the regular season pitching regulations and tournament pitching rules were expected to evolve as time progressed. The ASMI, led by Dr. Andrews and Dr. Fleisig, have worked closely with Little League International to continue the development of this initiative.
“The first year of using pitch counts in Little League Baseball appears to be a success at all levels, and we are pleased that Little League continues to refine the program. The changes for the 2008 season reflect the leadership position Little League has taken to protect young pitching arms, and we wholeheartedly endorse these actions.”
- James R. Andrews, M.D. and Glenn S. Fleisig, Ph.D.
American Sports Medicine Institute
Here are the significant enhancements for the 2008 season for all divisions of baseball:
Regular Season Pitching Regulations
A pitch limit for pitchers league age 7-8 has been added, with a maximum of 50 pitches per day. Previously, the limit for these ages was the same as for pitchers who were league age 9-10.
A provision has been added that prohibits a player who has been removed as a pitcher in a game from playing the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. This was a recommendation of Dr. Andrews and Dr. Fleisig, and is intended to further prevent overuse injuries. The position of catcher, according to Dr. Andrews and Dr. Fleisig, has the second-most overuse injuries, which can be acerbated by moving from pitcher to catcher in the same day. (However, moving from pitcher to any of the other seven positions, or from catcher to pitcher, apparently does not cause the same concerns.)
Pitchers league age 16 and under who deliver 41 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed. Pitchers league age 17-18 who deliver 51 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed. This enhancement is designed to help ensure that teams develop more pitchers, and to help ensure that scheduling anomalies do not result in undue advantages for some teams.
The “automatic” intentional walk was removed. If a pitcher wishes to intentionally walk a batter, he/she must do so by pitching four pitches intentionally outside the strike zone that are not struck at by the batter, and are called “balls” by the umpire. All such pitches will count in determining that pitcher’s pitch count.
As noted above in the regular season regulations, a provision has been added that prohibits a player who has been removed as a pitcher in a game from playing the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
Pitchers league age 16 and under (except those 16-year-olds playing in Big League) who deliver 21 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed. Big League Division pitchers league age 16-18 who deliver 36 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed.
A rule allowing the pitcher of record in a suspended game to continue pitching on a subsequent day in that game has been added. However, in the case of a game resumed more than one day after the suspended game, the number pitches delivered in a game in between those dates will also be used to determine eligibility.
Failure by the manager to remove a pitcher before that pitcher becomes ineligible will result in the suspension of the manager for the next two tournament games, with further penalties possible if the Tournament Committee deems that the infraction merits it. (This removes the automatic forfeiture penalty. However, the Tournament Committee could impose a forfeit if the situation warrants it.)
The “automatic” intentional walk was removed, as noted in the regular season regulation above.
We also continue to receive advice from volunteers regarding breaking balls. All of the evidence so far points to overuse at the main reason for pitching-related injuries. However, Little League continues to monitor this situation, and is in fact taking part in a multi-year scientific study that we hope will settle this issue. Once that study is complete, Little League will take the appropriate measures.
Thank you for your efforts in making 2007 a great year, and for your service in the coming season.
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport , PA17701-0485
Oct. 4, 2007
Dear Little League Volunteers:
This is a follow-up to the notice we sent earlier this week regarding the updated and enhanced pitching rules for baseball.
The response, as we expected, was excellent. Most volunteers realize that protecting young pitching arms is the right thing to do, and that Little League always has safety as its primary concern. We are gratified to know that the vast majority of Little League volunteers feel the same way.
A few questions did arise, and we would like to answer them below.
Pitchers and Catchers: “Regarding the prohibition for a pitcher to play the position of catcher later in the day/game – does it make a difference if the pitcher is removed based on the pitch count, or just removed for ineffectiveness before the pitch count is reached? What if the pitcher is not removed and finishes a game – could he/she be a catcher in a game later that day? Why not also restrict a player from moving from catcher to pitcher?”
Answer: The intent of the rule is based on the fact that experts in pitching injuries say that a player who warms up to pitch, and then pitches in a game, should not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Any other position is acceptable. The same is not true for a player moving from catcher to pitcher. This portion of the regulations and rules has been clarified.
Game of Rest: There is now a requirement for a game of rest under some circumstances – does that mean the player cannot play at all in the game in which he/she must rest?
Answer: The rest requirement in this case only applies to pitching – same as it always has been in tournament play. The pitcher who needs a game of rest is only prohibited from pitching in that specific game.
More Pitchers: “Won’t this mean our managers and coaches will have to develop more pitchers?
Answer: Yes, managers and coaches will need to develop more pitchers.
Changes to the 2008 Regular Season Pitching Regulations
For Baseball Divisions of Little League
®
(Updated 10-4-07 to clarify Reg. VII (c) NOTE)
Regulation VI – PITCHERS –
(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) 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.
(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
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 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: 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 is required.
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 is required.
(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.
(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 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 three days.
NOTE: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the "calendar week" with regard to pitching eligibility.
