Rule 19: PITCHING RULES: AGES 9 Through 14

A. Pitchers will be governed by the following rules:

1. Balks will be called by the umpires in the ten (10) through fourteen (14) year old leagues.

2. For Ages 9-10, three strikes is an out even if the catcher drops the ball.

3. A pitcher shall only make one (1) appearance on the pitching mound per game. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound he cannot return to the mound to pitch in that game.

B. The number of pitches allowable is based on the League Age per the table below. The pitch counts do not include warm-up throws, throws from other positions, practice throws, etc. These counts are intended to account for all pitches thrown in VHYB games and practice games. The Association is unable to monitor or control pitching outside of VHYB competition. However, for the protection of the players the Association strongly discourages pitching in non-VHYB games during the VHYB season if the combined number of pitches in VHYB and non-VHYB games exceed the pitching limitations in Rule 19.

C. Required rest periods are in place when a pitcher reaches thresholds of pitches delivered in a day as noted in the chart above. 

1. If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, 4 days of rest must be observed.

2. If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, 3 days of rest must be observed.

3. If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, 2 days of rest must be observed.

4. If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, 1 day of rest must be observed.

4. If a player pitches 20 pitches or less in a day, no rest is required before pitching again.

D. Days of rest are calendar days. For example, if a player throws 40 pitches on Monday night, he would require 2 complete calendar days of rest - Tuesday and Wednesday. He would be eligible to pitch again on Thursday.

E. During the World Series, calendar days of rest will be shortened by 1 day. For example, a pitcher throwing 48 pitches would only require 1 calendar day of rest during the World Series. World Series rest rules will take effect following a pitcher's last regular season appearance when determining eligibility for their first World Series game. For example, a pitcher throwing 48 pitches on Saturday would only require 1 calendar day of rest (Sunday) and would be eligible to pitch on Monday.

F. If a player pitches more than 36 pitches in a day, he will not be allowed to play catcher for the remainder of that calendar day. If a player pitches between 21 and 35 pitches and then subsequently plays catcher in the same game, the player must observe 2 calendar days of rest before pitching again.

G. For intentional walks, the coach may notify the umpire and pitches do not need to be thrown to that batter. No player may be intentionally walked more than once per game.

H. The official scorekeeper will track each pitcher’s number of pitches in the official score book which both coaches must sign at the conclusion of each game.

I. Should a pitcher exceed the required daily pitch count limit or violate the required rest rules, the head coach and team may be penalized. These penalties may include but are not limited to letter of reprimand, suspension, or game forfeiture.

J. A manager or coach can make one mound visit per pitcher per inning without needing to remove the pitcher from the game. If a manager or coach visits the same pitcher twice in one inning, the pitcher must be removed from the contest. Mound visits are limited to 30 seconds, starting when the manager or coach has exited the dugout and been granted time by the umpire.

K. 3rd to 1st move will follow NFHS rules (legal if executed properly).

*Offending Coaches may appeal each penalty before the league board for final determination.