pitching rules

REGULATION VI – PITCHERS

(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch

Exception:  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

Exception:  A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day

Exception:  If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur:

1. that batter reaches base
2. that batter is retired
3. the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game
4. the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing their at-bat

(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher

Exception: 8th-9th Grade Division only (14u-15u)   A pitcher remaining on defense 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

(c) The head coach must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:

Exception:  If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI(c) for their Grade Division while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occur:

1. The batter reaches base
2. The batter is put out
3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning of the game
4. The pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing their at bat

NOTE:  If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs:

1. that batter reaches base
2. that batter is retired
3. the third out is made to complete the half inning or the game
4. the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing their at-bat

The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day

(d) Pitchers in ALL Grade Divisions must adhere to the following rest requirements:

NOTE:  Under no circumstance shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days

(e) Each team must designate a scorekeeper as the official pitch count recorder which are required to get together between each inning to confirm pitch counts and resolve any discrepancies

(f) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either head coach or any umpire. However, the head coach is responsible for knowing when their pitcher must be removed

(g) The official pitch count recorder should inform the Home Plate Umpire when a pitcher has delivered their maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI(c). The Home Plate Umpire will inform the pitcher’s head coach that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI(c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the Home Plate Umpire, and/or the failure of the Home Plate Umpire to notify the head coach, does not relieve the head coach of their responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible

(h) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in a protest of the game in which it occurs. A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records any out beyond his legal limit AND while the pitcher in violation is in the game as the pitcher of record. If such violation is the last recorded out of the game, the protest MUST be filed prior to the Umpires and the protesting team leaving the field of play.  See RULE 16.00 - PROTESTS in the USSSA Rules

(k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day

Exception:  8th-9th Grade Division only (14u-15u)   A player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day

Exception:  If a pitcher reaches 30 pitches while facing a batter in the first game, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to pitch in the second game on that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs:

1. that batter reaches base
2. that batter is retired
3. the third out is made to complete the half inning or the game
4. the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing their at-bat

The pitcher would be allowed to pitch in a second game provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter

If a player delivers 31 or more pitches in the first game, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not pitch in the second game that day

NOTES:

1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Coaches are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.
   Approved Ruling:  When warming up, if a pitcher is discovered to be ineligible, he/she must be removed and the previous pitcher of record may not return
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest

Example 1:  A 6th-7th Grade Division (12u-13u) pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest

Example 2:  A 6th-7th Grade Division (12u-13u) pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest

Example 3:  A 6th-7th Grade Division (12u-13u) pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on their pitching record during the previous four days