Learn the Pitch Smart Guidelines for pitchers ages 13-14.

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

How to Manage 13-14 Year Old Pitchers

Focus on Overall Development

1. Allow players to begin using breaking pitches only after developing consistent fastball and changeup
2. Encourage players to participate in other sports throughout the year

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 throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
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 ages 11-12.

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

How to Manage 11-12 Year Old Pitchers

These guidelines are nearly identical to the Pitch Smart Guidelines for Ages 9-10, the main difference is pitcher's ages 11-12 have a higher daily max pitch count of 85.

Focus on Overall Development

1. Emphasize athleticism, physical fitness, and fun
2. Teach baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork
3. Encourage players to participate in other sports throughout the year

Manage Pitch Counts and Rest Periods

4. Ensure pitchers do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
5. Provide pitchers with at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
6. Establish and enforce pitch-count limits and required rest periods
7. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, do not allow them to return as a pitcher in the same game
8. 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

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

Pitching Techniques and Preparation

12. Have pitchers focus on throwing fastballs and change-ups
13. Ensure pitchers properly warm up before pitching

Team Management

14. Discourage pitchers from playing catcher when not pitching

Learn the pitch smart guidelines for ages 9-10.

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

How to Manage 9-10 Year Old Pitchers

The suggestions for players ages 9-10 are nearly the same as the suggestions for players ages 11-12. The one difference is players 11-12 have a higher max pitch count per day.

Focus on Overall Development

1. Emphasize athleticism, physical fitness, and fun
2. Teach baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork
3. Encourage players to participate in other sports throughout the year

Manage Pitch Counts and Rest Periods

4. Ensure pitchers do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
5. Provide pitchers with at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
6. Establish and enforce pitch-count limits and required rest periods
7. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, do not allow them to return as a pitcher in the same game
8. 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

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

Pitching Techniques and Preparation

12. Have pitchers focus on throwing fastballs and change-ups
13. Ensure pitchers properly warm up before pitching

Team Management

14. Discourage pitchers from playing catcher when not pitching