Learn the pitch smart guidelines for pitchers ages 19-22.

Use the calculator below to see when your pitchers are next able to pitch.

How to Manage 19-22 year old Pitchers

Manage Pitch Counts and Rest Periods

1. Keep track of the amount of pitching throughout the course of the year, remembering that overuse injuries are the result of short-term and long-term overuse
2. Provide pitchers with at least 3 months off from competitive pitching every year, including at least 4 continuous weeks off from all overhead throwing
3. Establish and enforce pitch-count limits and required rest periods
4. Do not allow any pitcher to appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

Monitor Fatigue and Workload

5. Closely monitor pitchers for signs of fatigue
6. Do not allow players to pitch in multiple games on the same day
7. Avoid having players participate on multiple teams at the same time

Pitching Techniques and Preparation

8. Ensure pitchers properly warm up before pitching

Position Restrictions

9. Discourage pitchers from playing catcher when not pitching

Focus on Overall Development

10. Ensure pitchers follow guidelines across leagues, tournaments, and showcases

Learn the pitch smart guidelines for pitchers ages 17-18.

Use the calculator below to see when your pitchers are able to pitch next.

How to Manage 17–18 Year Old Pitchers

Focus on Overall Development

1. Allow players to begin using breaking pitches only after developing consistent fastball and changeup
2. Ensure pitchers follow guidelines across leagues, tournaments, and showcases

Manage Pitch Counts and Rest Periods

3. Ensure pitchers do not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
4. Provide pitchers with at least 4 months off from competitive pitching every year, including at least 2-3 continuous months off from all overhead throwing
5. Establish and enforce pitch-count limits and required rest periods
6. Allow a pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, to return as a pitcher only once per game
7. Do not allow any pitcher to appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

Monitor Fatigue and Workload

8. Closely monitor pitchers for signs of fatigue
9. Do not allow players to pitch in multiple games on the same day
10. Avoid having players participate on multiple teams at the same time

Pitching Techniques and Preparation

11. Ensure pitchers properly warm up before pitching

Position Restrictions

12. Discourage pitchers from playing catcher when not pitching

Learn the pitch smart guidelines for pitchers ages 15-16

Use the pitch count calculator below to see when your pitchers are next able to pitch.

How to Manage 15–16 Year Old Pitchers

Focus on Overall Development

1. Allow players to begin using breaking pitches only after developing consistent fastball and changeup
2. Ensure pitchers follow guidelines across leagues, tournaments, and showcases

Manage Pitch Counts and Rest Periods

3. Ensure pitchers do not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
4. Provide pitchers with at least 4 months off from competitive pitching every year, including at least 2-3 continuous months off from all overhead throwing
5. Establish and enforce pitch-count limits and required rest periods
6. Allow a pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, to return as a pitcher only once per game
7. Do not allow any pitcher to appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

Monitor Fatigue and Workload

8. Closely monitor pitchers for signs of fatigue
9. Do not allow players to pitch in multiple games on the same day
10. Avoid having players participate on multiple teams at the same time

Pitching Techniques and Preparation

11. Ensure pitchers properly warm up before pitching

Position Restrictions

12. Discourage pitchers from playing catcher when not pitching