Pitch Smart
Updated Wednesday January 11, 2017 by Kyle Potter.Cal Ripken Baseball allows local leagues the option to use a pitch count during league games. Kingston Cal Ripken has adopted the recommendations from the Pitch Smart guidelines. Pitch Smart offers a series of practical, age-appropriate guidelines to help parents, players and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for youth pitchers.
Pitch Smart Recommendations
Required Rest (Pitches) | ||||||
Age | Daily Max | 0 Days | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days |
7-8* | 50 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | N/A | N/A |
9-10 | 75 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
11-12** | 85 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
* Kingston's Cal Ripken Rookies (7/8) division is coach pitch. These pitch counts apply to 7-8 yr olds playing up or those ready to pitch towards the end of the Rookies season.
** Kingston Cal Ripken Baseball Majors (11/12) - A maximum of 6 innings per week or 85 pitches, whichever comes first. Same rest days noted above still apply.
Pitch Smart General Guidelines
Ages 7-8 (Typically 46' Pitching Distance)
Ages 9-12 (Typically 46-50' Pitching Distance)
USA Baseball and MLB team up to help young players reduce arm injuries by providing a comprehensive resource for safe pitching practices. Baseball is a safe game to play at all ages, but research has shown that pitching too much — particularly at a young age — can increase a pitcher's risk of injury. For more information, explore Pitch Smart.
Kingston Cal Ripken Interleague Play
For Baseball Minor and Major divisons, a pitcher may only pitch 2 innings per game.