Little League Pitching Rules

Little League pitching rules allow one mound visit per pitcher per inning in the Major Division (a second visit to the same pitcher in the same inning means the pitcher must be removed from the mound), 8 warmup pitches or 1 minute between innings, and, in Majors and below, no return to the mound once a pitcher is removed. This page covers the general pitching rules beyond pitch count limits and rest days: warmup pitches, mound visits, pitcher removal and re-entry, balk rules, intentional walks, hit batters, and pitch type restrictions by division.

A pitcher is allowed a maximum of 8 warmup pitches, or 1 minute of warmup time, whichever comes first. The same limit applies between innings and when a new pitcher enters the game. Warmup pitches do not count toward the daily pitch count.

In Majors and below, runners may not leave their base until the pitch reaches the batter. There are no leadoffs, so pitchers aren't holding runners on and balks are not called at these levels.

Balk rules apply beginning at the Intermediate (50/70) division and continue through Juniors and Seniors, where leadoffs are allowed. Umpires at these levels often warn a young pitcher before calling a balk. Common balk situations include:

Coaches moving players up from Majors should teach stretch mechanics early, because the balk rule will be new to those pitchers.

Rule 8.06 sets two clocks at once, per inning and per game, and they differ by division:

Two details catch coaches off guard. First, a time-out granted to talk to ANY defensive player is charged as a visit to the pitcher, so a quick word with your shortstop costs the same as a trip to the mound. Second, removal under 8.06 is removal as pitcher only: the player may stay in the game at another position, subject to the catcher-to-pitcher rule.

In Minors, Majors, and below: no. Regulation VI(b) is absolute, and a pitcher removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher in that game, even if they stayed in at shortstop the whole time.

In Intermediate (50-70), Junior, and Senior League: a pitcher who remains in the game on defense at another position may return to pitch once in the remainder of the game, one return per game. A pitcher substituted out of the game entirely cannot return to pitch in any division. Their pitch count continues from the earlier appearance, and rest days are based on the day's total.