Pitch count guidelines for Little Leaguers

Little League Baseball will implement a new pitch-count rule in 2007, a change organizers hope will reduce wear and tear on youngsters' arms.

Starting in 2007, the number of pitches thrown in a game will determine how long that player must rest before returning to the mound. The current system is based on innings pitched.

The new rules would bar 11- and 12-year-old players from throwing more than 85 pitches a day, with limits also varying with age.

Rest requirements would change according to the number of pitches thrown. A pitcher who tosses more than 61 in a game would need three days of rest before returning to the mound, while someone who throws between 41 and 60 pitches would need two days off.

Pitch count restrictions, based on age:

• For pitchers 17-18: 105 pitches
• For pitchers 13-16: 95 pitches
• For pitchers 11-12: 85 pitches
• For pitchers 10 and under: 75 pitches

Pitchers league ages 7 through 16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days 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 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.

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 must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51-75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26-50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.