Have you ever been watching a baseball game and see a pitcher come out after throwing just a handful of pitches? It might have made you wonder why the manager pulled him from the game. Well, it turns out that there are rules in place governing how many pitches a pitcher can throw in a game.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at MLB pitch count rules and explain them in easy-to-understand terms. So, whether you’re a casual fan or you’re looking to become more knowledgeable about baseball, read on!
What is MLB Pitch Count Rules?
The rules for pitch count limits in baseball are governed by the Official Baseball Rules. There are three different sets of rules – one for pitchers under the age of 19, another set of rules for pitchers between the ages of 19 and 29, and then a final set of rules that cover all other players.
MLB Pitch Count Rules
When it comes to MLB Pitch Count Rules, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- First, the rules only apply to pitchers, not position players.
- Second, pitch counts are cumulative for a game – so, even if a pitcher is removed from the game and then comes back in later, his pitch count will still be counted.
- Finally, pitchers are allowed to finish the batter they are facing, so if a pitcher throws 12 pitches while facing one batter in an inning, but then that batter reaches base on a hit and the catcher gets him out at second base on the next play, the pitcher is still credited for completing that inning.
What Are the Two Categories of Pitch Limits
When it comes to pitching limits, there are two primary categories – day-to-day limits and pitch count limits. Day-to-day restrictions are meant to protect a pitcher’s arm from injury, while pitch count limits are put in place to make sure that pitchers aren’t overused and injured by their managers.
For day-to-day limits
When a pitcher is only allowed to throw so many pitches in a day. The exact number of pitches varies depending on the pitcher’s age, but for most pitchers, it’s around 60 pitches. If a pitcher hits that limit in an outing, he has to miss his next scheduled start.
For pitch count limits
The rules are set out in two different ways. For players between the ages of 19 and 29, there are three different classifications of pitch counts – days rest, medium rest, and high rests.
- For pitchers under the age of 19, there are four different classifications of pitch counts – days rest for pitchers under 12 years old, one day rest for pitchers who are 12-16 years old, two days rest for pitchers who are 17-18 years old, and finally three days rest for pitchers who are 19 years old or older.
- To give you an idea of exactly what this means, let’s look at the pitch counts for Noah Syndergaard, a pitcher on the New York Mets. Syndergaard is 24 years old, so he falls under the classification for pitchers between the ages of 19 and 29.
- For medium rest, Syndergaard is allowed to throw 110 pitches in a game. If he throws more than 110 pitches, he has to wait four days before he can pitch again.
- For high rest, Syndergaard is allowed to throw 125 pitches in a game. If he throws more than 125 pitches, he has to wait seven days before he can pitch again.
- Now let’s look at the classification for pitchers under the age of 19. For one day rest, Syndergaard is allowed to throw 25 pitches. If he throws more than 25 pitches, he has to wait one day before he can pitch again.
- For two days’ rest, Syndergaard is allowed to throw 35 pitches. If he throws more than 35 pitches, he has to wait two days before he can pitch again.
Finally, for three days’ rest, Syndergaard is allowed to throw 50 pitches. If he throws more than 50 pitches, he has to wait three days before he can pitch again.
How Are Pitches Counted?
When it comes to counting pitches, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, all pitches thrown in an inning are counted – even if the pitcher is taken out of the game and then comes back in later. Second, balls and strikes are not counted – only pitches that are thrown in an actual at-bat are counted. Finally, pitches that are fouled off are not counted.
This means that if a pitcher throws 10 pitches in an inning and all of them are fouled off, only 10 pitches will be counted.
What Is the Purpose of the Mlb Pitch Count Rules?
The idea behind the MLB pitch count rules is to protect a pitcher’s arm and make sure that he doesn’t end up with any injuries. The focus is on preventing players from being overused, especially at a young age.
What Are the Risks of Pitching-Related Injuries?
When it comes to injuries of pitchers, there are two primary types – Tommy John surgery and shoulder injuries.
Tommy John surgery is a procedure that is used to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in a pitcher’s elbow. The surgery was first performed in 1974 and since then, has become more and more common. In 2010, there were 24 Tommy John surgeries performed on Major League pitchers. By 2014, that number had increased to 33.
The second type of injury that is fairly common in pitchers is shoulder injury. This issue stems from the fact that pitchers put a lot of stress and strain on their arms to throw fastballs at speeds over 100 miles per hour. When the arm gets tired, the ball doesn’t go quite as fast or quite as far. Pitchers who throw a lot of fastballs are more likely to experience shoulder injuries.
The MLB pitch count rules are in place to try and prevent pitchers from experiencing these types of injuries.
What Are the Penalties for Violating Mlb Pitch Count Rules
If a pitcher throws too many pitches in a game, there are a few possible penalties.
- The most common penalty is that the pitcher has to miss his next scheduled start. This is the most common form of punishment because it’s seen as the most effective way to prevent pitchers from being overused.
- Another penalty is a fine or a warning. This type of punishment is less common, but it still happens from time to time.
- In extreme cases, the pitcher’s manager could be punished for his role in throwing too many pitches.
- In rare cases, players have been removed from their teams because they kept pitching when they weren’t supposed to and put other pitchers at risk.
Tips for parents of youth athletes who want them to play baseball but also want them to avoid injury
Here are some helpful tips for parents of youth athletes who want them to play baseball, but also want to avoid any injuries:
1. Monitor pitch counts and innings pitched to ensure that your player is not overused.
2. Make sure your player takes proper care of his arm after pitching, including icing and stretching.
3. Encourage your player to throw a variety of pitches, not just fastballs. This will help to reduce the amount of stress on his arm.
4. Limit your pitcher’s exposure to radar guns in tryouts, and stop the game if a pitcher gets tired and his velocity drops or he starts getting wild.
5. Don’t let your player pitch in more than one league per year because this will increase the risk of overuse injuries.
6. If you suspect a problem with a pitcher’s arm, have him see a doctor to get a full diagnosis.
7. Never let players pitch the day after they throw. Wait at least 48 hours before letting them pick up a ball again.
8. Don’t use weighted bats or overload balls in practice because this will put more stress on your player’s muscles and joints.
9. Make sure your player gets plenty of rest and avoids excessive physical activity outside of baseball.
10. Know the signs and symptoms of overuse injuries so that you can get your player treatment as soon as possible.
By following these tips, your player will be much less likely to experience an overuse injury while pitching.
Final Thought
There are quite a few MLB pitch count rules, and it can be a little confusing to understand them all. However, with a little explanation, it’s easy to see why these rules are in place and how they help to protect pitchers.
MLB pitch count rules are in place to protect pitchers and make sure that they’re not overused or injured. If you’re curious about how the rules work, or you just want to gain a better understanding of baseball, then this post is for you!
FAQs
What are the MLB pitch count rules?
There are a few different MLB pitch count rules that regulate how many pitches a pitcher can throw in a single game. In general, pitchers aren’t allowed to throw more than 100+ pitches per game.
How do you know when a pitcher is getting tired and needs to be removed from the game?
Pitchers are most likely to be removed from the game when they start struggling, their velocity drops significantly, or they get wild with pitches. You can also look for physical signs like excessive sweating, redness on the arm, or fatigue.
What are some common penalties for violating MLB pitch count rules?
The most common penalty is that the pitcher has to miss his next scheduled start. Other possible penalties include a fine or warning. In extreme cases, the manager could be punished.
Other Posts:
