Baseball is America’s greatest pastime and an excellent way for kids to get active, build camaraderie, and learn the value of teamwork. To ensure young players are positioned for success and can safely enjoy years of athletic participation, Major League Baseball and USA Baseball have teamed up to create individualized pitching guidelines for different age groups. Following these guidelines can minimize the risk of overuse and throwing injuries in budding pitchers while still allowing them to grow their skillsets and enjoy the amazing game of baseball.
More detailed information is available on the MLB website, but here’s a brief overview of the league’s recommended pitch counts for youth players:
Players Ages 7-8
- Must not exceed 50 pitches per day, with fewer pitches recommended if playing on less than three days of rest
- Should take at least four months off from pitching per year, with two to three of those months being consecutive
- Should not exceed 60 combined innings pitched in a 12-month period
- Will not pitch in a game for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Players Ages 9-12
- Must not exceed 75 pitches per day if ages 9 or 10, or 85 pitches if ages 11 or 12 (fewer pitches are recommended if playing on less than five days of rest)
- Should take at least four months off from pitching per year, with two to three of those months being consecutive
- Should not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in a 12-month period
- Will not pitch in a game for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Players Ages 13-14
- Must not exceed 95 pitches per day, with fewer pitches recommended if playing on less than five days of rest
- Should take at least four months off from pitching per year, with two to three of those months being consecutive
- Should not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in a 12-month period
- Will not pitch in a game for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Players Ages 15-18
- Must not exceed 95 pitches per day if ages 15 or 16, or 105 pitches if ages 17 or 18 (fewer pitches are recommended if playing on less than five days of rest)
- Should take at least four months off from competitive pitching per year, including two to three consecutive months without any type of overhead throwing
- Should not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in a 12-month period
- Will not pitch in a game for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts
Families in Tampa, Florida, with growing baseball stars can turn to Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group for world-class sports medicine and rehabilitation services. Our team includes orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Daniel Murphy and sports medicine physician Dr. Arnold Ramirez—two board-certified specialists who treat adolescent and adult athletes at our clinic in addition to serving on the medical staffs of the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
To request an appointment at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group, contact our friendly professionals at (813) 253-2406 or take advantage of our online scheduling system.
