Along with the pitch count and rest recommendations, Pitch Smart also offers general and age specific guidelines to keep pitchers healthy. The general guidelines cover all ages, and they include:
  • Properly warming up before pitching.
  • Avoiding playing for multiple teams at the same time and pitching in multiple games on the same day.
  • Playing other sports during the course of the year to allow your arm time to rest.
  • Taking at least 4 months off from throwing each year with at least 2 to 3 of those months being continuous.
Below you will find the Pitch Smart recommended guidelines by age group.

Ages 8 & Under

Typically 46' Pitching Distance

  • Focus on athleticism, physical fitness, and fun
  • Focus on learning baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork
  • Do not exceed 60 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
  • Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
  • Make sure to properly warm up before pitching
  • Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods
  • Avoid throwing pitches other than fastballs and change-ups
  • Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time
  • Avoid playing catcher while not pitching
  • Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day
  • Play other sports during the course of the year
  • Monitor for other signs of fatigue
  • Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers
  • No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Age  Daily Max (Pitches in Game) 0 Days Rest 1 Days Rest 2 Days Rest  3 Days Rest 4 Days Rest
 7-8 50 1-20 21-35 36-50 N/A N/A

Ages 9-12

Typically 46-50' Pitching Distance

  • Focus on athleticism, physical fitness, and fun
  • Focus on learning baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork
  • Do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
  • Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
  • Make sure to properly warm up before pitching
  • Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods
  • Avoid throwing pitches other than fastballs and change-ups
  • Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time
  • Avoid playing catcher while not pitching
  • Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day
  • Play other sports during the course of the year
  • Monitor for other signs of fatigue
  • Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers
  • No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Age  Daily Max (Pitches in Game) 0 Days Rest 1 Days Rest 2 Days Rest3 Days Rest 4 Days Rest 
 9-10 751-20 21-35  36-5051-65 66+ 
 11-12 85 1-2021-35  36-5051-65  66+

Ages 13-14

Typically 60' Pitching Distance

  • Players can begin using breaking pitches after developing consistent fastball and changeup
  • Do not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
  • Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
  • Make sure to properly warm up before pitching
  • Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods
  • Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time
  • Avoid playing catcher while not pitching
  • Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day
  • Play other sports during the course of the year
  • Monitor for other signs of fatigue
  • 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
  • No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

Age Daily Max Pitches 0 Days Rest 1 Days Rest 2 Days Rest 3 Days Rest 4 Days Rest 
 13-14 95 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+

Local Sponsors

Tri-Boro Little League

Tri-Boro Little League, PO Box 254
Bloomingdale, New Jersey 07403

Phone: 111-111-1111

Email: [email protected]