WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Aug. 25, 2006) – Little League Baseball
is changing its decades-old pitching rules, making the actual
number of pitches delivered the deciding factor in determining
eligibility in the baseball division, it was announced today by
Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball.
Starting with the 2007 season, pitchers in all divisions of
Little League, from age 7 to 18, will have specific limits for
each game, based on their age. The number of pitches delivered
in a game will determine the amount of rest the player must have
before pitching again.
Previously, Little League pitching regulations limited pitchers
(league age 12 and under) to six innings per week (Sunday
through Saturday), and six innings per game. The number of
innings allowed was increased for older age groups.
The number of pitches allowable under the new regulation is
based on the pitcher’s age. Specific rest periods are in place
when a pitcher reaches a higher threshold of pitches delivered
in a day.
The table below gives an overview of the number of pitches that
will be allowed per day for each age group during the regular
season in 2007.
| League Age |
Pitches allowed per day |
| 17-18 |
105 |
| 13-16 |
95 |
| 11-12 |
85 |
| 10 and under |
75 |
The rest periods required during the 2007 regular season are
listed below.
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.
“The regulation might be seen as a work in progress,” Mr. Keener
said. “As we move forward through the years, the limits may be
adjusted as needed. And of course, we will continue to use all
means at our disposal to improve the education of managers,
coaches and parents.”
Regulations for tournament play (all-stars) will be similar, but
with some modifications. Those regulations will be released this
fall.
Little League also continues to explore other pitching-related
issues, such as the use of breaking pitches.
“While there is no medical evidence to support a ban on breaking
pitches, it is widely speculated by medical professionals that
it is ill-advised for players under 14 years old to throw
breaking pitches,” Mr. Keener said. “Breaking pitches for these
ages continues to be strongly discouraged by Little League, and
that is an issue we are looking at as well. As with our stance
on pitch counts, we will act if and when there is medical
evidence to support a change.”
Little League International is beginning a five-year study on
breaking pitches by Little League pitchers. The study is being
conducted by the University of North Carolina and is supported
by the Yawkey Foundation. |
Administration
