Pitching Rules & Regulations

• Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he is ineligible to return to that game as a pitcher, even if he remained in the game at another defensive position.
• Mound Visits – 1 visit per inning, 2nd visit in an inning must result in a change.  No limit per game.
• Balks - big book; balks are live balls until the conclusion of the pitch/play
• Third to First Move - this move is ILLEGAL; penalty is a balk
• Each team is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to keep the welfare of their players at the forefront of all pitching decisions. Additionally, we have imposed the following pitch count rules for all PST events:

• 8U - 12U Divisions (updated as of 4/17/23)

• 40 pitches or less requires NO day off; 41+ requires one day off
• 41 to 60 pitches - 1 day of rest
• 61-85 pitches - 2 days of rest
• Maximum of 85 pitches in a single day
• Maximum of 105 pitches over a 2 day period
• Maximum of 125 pitches over a 3 day period

• 13U - 18U Divisions (updated as of 4/17/23)

• Days of rest required:

• 40 pitches or less        0 days of rest
• 41 to 60 pitches                1 day of rest
• 61 - 85 pitches                2 days of rest
• 86+ pitches                3 days of rest

• Maximum of 105 pitches in a single day
• Maximum of 125 pitches over a 2 day period
• Maximum of 150 pitches in a single event

• NOTE: Pitchers will be allowed to finish out the batter when they hit a pitch count threshold during an at-bat. Days of rest needed will be determined by the FINAL pitch count, regardless of what the number was when the pitcher started his final at-bat

• For example, if a pitcher started his final at-bat at 37 pitches and finished the at-bat at 42 pitches when removed from the game, one day of rest is required

• All protests of pitch count violations must happen during the game. No protests will be considered once a game has concluded. Process of a pitch count protest is as follows:

• Coach must ask for time and alert the umpires that he/she is submitting a pitch count protest. $100 cash is required for all filed protests. The cash will be refunded if the protest is deemed successful. For all denied protests, the $100 is non-refundable
• Umpires will contact the site / tournament director and alert them of the protest
• GameChanger will be the system of record for all pitch count protests. The site / tournament director will review GameChanger records to determine whether a pitch count violation has occurred

• If the team being questioned does NOT use GameChanger, the site / tournament director will use their opponent’s GameChanger data to determine whether a violation has occurred. If neither team has a GameChanger account, the pitch count protest will not be upheld

• If it is determined that a pitch count violation has occurred, the pitcher must IMMEDIATELY be replaced on the mound. The pitcher and head coach will be ejected from the game, and the head coach will also be suspended for the team’s next game