PITCH COUNT & VIOLATION POLICIES

GENERAL RULES

• Any player on the team is eligible to pitch, and there are no restrictions to the number of pitchers a manager may use in a game.

• Pitchers shall be permitted to have 2 appearances in the same calendar day. If a pitcher requires a rest following 1st appearance, they cannot return in the same calendar day (see examples below).

• Pitcher cannot pitch 3 consecutive days unless a pitcher’s first 2 days combined does not exceed: 

  • 11U – 20 league/25 provincials

  • 13U – 25 league/30 provincials

  • 15U – 30 league/35 provincials

  • 18U – 30 league/40 provincials

• *NEW FOR 2025* If a pitcher is eligible to pitch on a third consecutive day, the pitcher is limited to the number of pitches shown in the table below, combined, over the course of those three days

  • 11U = 80 Pitches

  • 13U = 95 Pitches

  • 15U = 105 Pitches

  • 18U = 115 Pitches

  • The below examples will use the Provincial Championship Pitch Count Guideline numbers.

  • Example: A 13U pitcher throws 20 pitches on Thursday and 10 pitches on Friday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch on Saturday but is limited to a maximum of 65 pitches (95-20-10=65).

  • Example: A 18U pitcher throws 18 pitches on Thursday and 37 pitches on Friday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch on Saturday as they require one day rest to be eligible to pitch on Sunday. On Sunday they are permitted to pitch a maximum of 95 pitches over four days (150 - 18 - 37 = 95).

  • Pitchers are never permitted to pitch over their daily maximum under any circumstance for a single day

  • Example: A 11U pitcher throws 1 pitch on Friday and 1 pitch on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch on Sunday but is limited to their daily maximum of 75 pitches.

• If a pitcher’s Day 1 + Day 2 exceed the figure above for their division, they require rest as defined in the pitch count chart. Pitcher’s cannot pitch 4 consecutive days.

• A pitcher who has pitched on 2 consecutive days and whose total exceeds the low category maximum allowance will not be able to pitch again on the second day.

• The official scorekeeper will calculate the total pitches thrown for that calendar day and determine the required rest starting the next calendar day. Athletes must not exceed the maximum pitch count total for that day.

• Once a player assumes the position of pitcher, they cannot catch for the remainder of the game.

• If a player pitches in the first game of the day and is eligible to pitch again in the same day, he may pitch or catch in the second game, but not both.

• Pitchers will be permitted to finish the batter if the maximum pitch limit has been reached.

*NEW FOR 2025* - BAEL/AAA Regular Season & Provincial Championships

• When a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches allowed for a threshold (See Pitch Count Table), he/she can complete the earlier of the (i) the end of the at-bat or (ii) the end of the inning, without penalty on days of rest, as long as he/she does not pitch to another batter. The number of pitches corresponding to the threshold reached will be indicated on the pitching log. The coach or manager needs to acknowledge this to the umpire at the moment prior to the next pitch. The umpire will notify the scorekeeper of the threshold. 

• Required Rest shall be defined in “Days” starting at 12:01am and ending at 11:59pm of the next calendar day.

• If a game continues past 12:01am, those pitches are counted as if the pitched prior to midnight. If a game is suspended, when it resumes it is defined as a different day.

• A pitcher who is removed from the mound during a game shall not be permitted to return to pitch in the same game, even if the pitcher is retained in the game at another position.

• ADDED CLARIFICATION FOR 2025 Only pitches thrown will be included in pitch count totals. Automatic balls during an intentional walk do not count towards pitch count totals. For example, if with a 2-0 count, a team signals to the umpire that a batter will receive an intentional walk, only the two pitches thrown will be counted for pitch count.

BASEBALL ALBERTA SPECIFIC RULES

The scorekeeper will inform the umpire of the pitch count when a count is nearing the end of a pitcher’s daily limits. The umpire will then notify the team manager or coach of the pitcher’s team so that an opportunity for assignment correction may be immediately affected.

The Official League Regular Season final weekend will be defined as the weekend prior to the scheduled Provincial Championship at each competition level.

No Breaking Balls shall be permitted at the 11U age category – if a coach feels that the opposing team’s pitchers are throwing breaking balls the umpire will be notified and if deemed necessary a note will be placed in the game report. The Baseball Alberta office will investigate and follow the same procedure used for pitch count violations.

A Breaking Ball shall be defined as any pitch where the hand is pronated, supinated, turned or snapped in a fashion where the baseball rotates in a side to side, forward spinning or with unnatural action that is not consistent with the pitchers natural fastball rotation.

In the umpire’s judgement, if a pitcher at the 11U age category throws a breaking ball, such pitch will be deemed illegal and will be called a “ball”. If as a result of the pitch, the batter reaches first base as a result of the play (such as hit or walk) and all other runners advance at least one base, the play will stand without reference to the illegal pitch. No outs may be recorded as a result of such illegal pitch.

The umpire will warn the Manager that the pitch is illegal and permit the Manager to advise his pitcher accordingly. No visit to the mound will be charged to the team. This warning must be given regardless of whether or not there was a play that occured after the pitch. If, after the warning, the pitcher delivers another breaking ball, the Manager will be ejected. If the pitcher, or any subsequent pitcher, delivers another breaking ball, such pitcher will be ejected.

Change-Ups and off speed pitches where the baseball rotates in a similar fashion to a fastball will be permitted at all levels and should be observed by the umpire prior to an appearance during warm-up.

Pitcher Warm-Up Rule can be utilized by all divisions (only during limited substitution) – A position player that is scheduled to pitch may exit the game to warm-up and re-enter with the intent of throwing the first pitch of the next defensive inning. The substitute player will not lose eligibility unless the pitcher does not begin the inning following the warm-up period and will then be considered active. The pitcher would then lose playing eligibility in the game. The substitute player must not have previously been in the game.

PITCH COUNT VIOLATION POLICIES

Head Coaches or Team Managers are responsible for adhering to the Pitch Count policy. In case of an infraction, the following consequences for non-compliance will be applied, covering one calendar season:

1st Infraction: A warning will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager.

2nd Infraction: A 1-game suspension will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager.

3rd Infraction: A 3-game suspension will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager.

4th Infraction: A minimum 5-game suspension and "Prohibited Indefinitely Status" will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager.

Violation of any pitching rules may result in forfeiture of the game in which the violation occurred. When the use of an ineligible pitcher is evident, scorekeepers or other officials MUST notify the team manager or coach immediately for correction.

Baseball Alberta reserves the right to increase suspension time based on the violation, and the coach must be reinstated with written approval from Baseball Alberta. A subsequent fine may be incurred, along with follow-up re-certification.

Pitch Count Hearing Policy: A suspended or fined manager or coach may request a hearing involving Baseball Alberta at any point in the process; a $100.00 cost will be incurred.

Appeal Policy: A suspended or fined manager or coach may appeal a decision at any point in the process; a $200.00 cost will be incurred if the decision is upheld.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP PITCH COUNT VIOLATION PROCEDURE

These pitch totals begin the Monday of the Provincial Championships week.

Scorekeepers and coaches must identify any potential infraction before it occurs. No protests will be heard after the fact. If an infraction is identified after it occurs, the player will be removed from the pitching position, and no protest or forfeiture will occur.

Posting/Updating of Pitch Count totals (Poster Boards) should be displayed at all diamonds being used during Provincial Championships.