Little League® has always placed safety as a top priority, and is continually striving to provide children with a healthy and safe experience. It is required by the coach to promote arm safety for youth pitchers by following the below chart. These guidelines were developed by Major League Baseball and USA Baseball through the Pitch Smart campaign.
Additionally, these pitch count limits create a player management strategy that each coach must adhere to, as well as under the Little League Rulebook - Regulation VI - The Pitcher
(a) - A player who plays the position of catcher for 3 innings or less, may enter the game as a pitcher, however if the player delivers 21 pitches or more in the game, the player may not return to the catcher position for the entirety of the calendar day.
Note: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
Note: If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. The exception to this rule is the pitcher is allowed to complete the in-progress at-bat while going over 40 pitches, until the batter is retired.
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher.
Note: Under no circumstance shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
Note: Minors, Majors, and Intermediate 50/70 - A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.