How Many Pitches Should My Child Throw? Age-by-Age Breakdown

One of the most common questions youth baseball parents ask is: “How many pitches is too many for my child?”

The answer depends on age, experience, mechanics, and how often they pitch. But there are well-established guidelines that can help you protect your child’s arm while still letting them enjoy competing on the mound.

This article walks through recommended pitch limits by age, explains how rest days work, and gives practical examples you can use with your team. If you want a quick, automated way to check limits and rest days, use our Pitch Count & Rest Day Calculator.

General Principles Before Looking at Numbers

Before diving into age groups, keep these big-picture points in mind:

Limits are ceilings, not goals. Your child doesn’t have to reach their max every outing.
Fatigue beats numbers. If a pitcher looks tired, they should come out, even if they’re under the limit.
Rest is non-negotiable. The more they pitch in a game, the more critical their days off become.
Not every kid is the same age-wise. A smaller 10-year-old may need a lighter workload than a mature 12-year-old.

The numbers below reflect common Little League–style limits and guidelines from major youth baseball organizations. Always follow your own league’s official rules first.

Recommended Pitch Counts by Age

Ages 7–8

For the youngest pitchers, the priority is fun, mechanics, and basic control. At this age, arms are still developing, and players are often learning how to pitch for the first time.

Max pitches per game: ~50
Recommended range: 25–40 pitches most outings
Max games pitching per week: 1–2

Many coaches pull pitchers earlier if they are struggling, especially in cold weather or at the beginning of the season.

Ages 9–10

At this level, kids are stronger and more coordinated, but their growth plates are still vulnerable. Hitters are better, and games can get longer, so pitch counts start to matter more.

Max pitches per game: ~75
Typical healthy range: 40–65 pitches
Max competitive outings per week: 2 (with proper rest)

It’s a good idea to think in terms of “first game starter” and “backup pitcher” to avoid overusing one arm.

Ages 11–12

Many players begin to pitch more regularly at this age, especially in all-star or travel formats. This is when overuse risk really picks up if pitch counts aren’t tracked carefully.

Max pitches per game: ~85
Typical healthy range: 50–75 pitches
Max high-intensity outings per week: Often 2, depending on rest and league rules

If your child pitches for both a league team and a travel team, it’s critical that the adults coordinate total workload, not just individual game limits.

Ages 13–14

Now players are closer to full-size fields, facing advanced hitters and sometimes experimenting with higher velocity. Pitch counts and rest become even more important.

Max pitches per game: ~95
Typical healthy range: 60–85 pitches
Max days pitching per week: Usually 1 start + limited relief, with rest built in

Young teens should still be monitored closely for fatigue, especially during tournaments with multiple games in a short time span.

Ages 15–16

Older teens can handle more volume, but their arms are still not fully mature. Some will throw with significant velocity, which increases stress per pitch.

Max pitches per game: ~95 (many high school rules match this)
Typical healthy range: 70–90 pitches for starters
Recommended high-intensity outings: 1 start per week

At this age, the cumulative workload (school ball + travel ball + showcase events) matters more than any single outing.

How Rest Days Work

Pitch limits only tell half the story. The other half is how many days of rest a pitcher must get before they pitch again. Rest days are based on the number of pitches thrown in one day.

Here is a common rest-day framework for ages 14 and under:

1–20 pitches → 0 days of rest (can pitch again the next day)
21–35 pitches → 1 day of rest
36–50 pitches → 2 days of rest
51–65 pitches → 3 days of rest
66+ pitches → 4 days of rest

And for ages 15–16:

1–30 pitches → 0 days of rest
31–45 pitches → 1 day of rest
46–60 pitches → 2 days of rest
61–75 pitches → 3 days of rest
76+ pitches → 4 days of rest

Instead of doing this math in your head, you can plug the age, pitch count, and game date into our Pitch Count Calculator. It will show you both the required rest and the exact next eligible pitching date.

Example Game Scenarios

Example 1: 9-Year-Old Throws 42 Pitches

Age group: 9–10 (max 75 pitches)
Game total: 42 pitches
Under the limit? Yes
Required rest: 2 days

If the game is on Saturday, the next eligible day to pitch would typically be Tuesday.

Example 2: 12-Year-Old Throws 68 Pitches

Age group: 11–12 (max 85 pitches)
Game total: 68 pitches
Under the limit? Yes
Required rest: 3 or 4 days depending on exact league rules

Many leagues would require at least 3 days of rest here. Always verify with your league rulebook.

Example 3: 14-Year-Old Throws 25 Pitches in Relief

Age group: 13–14 (max 95 pitches)
Game total: 25 pitches
Required rest: 1 day

They might be available again later in the week, but you should still consider total weekly workload.

How Many Days Per Week Should a Child Pitch?

Most experts recommend that youth pitchers:

Pitch in games no more than 2–3 days per week, with rest between
Have at least 1–2 days per week with no overhead throwing
Take at least 4 months per year off from competitive pitching

If your child is playing for multiple teams at once, it’s important for coaches and parents to communicate so that pitch counts don’t silently add up across different leagues.

What About Practices and Bullpens?

Practice throws count toward total arm stress, even if they don’t count toward official game pitch counts.

A reasonable approach:

Limit full-intensity bullpen sessions
Use more flat-ground work, drill work, and light throwing between outings
Avoid pitching on back-to-back days, even if one day is practice only

Signs Your Child Might Be Throwing Too Much

Elbow or shoulder pain reported during or after games
Difficulty lifting the arm the next day
Reduced accuracy or loss of control late in outings
Visible fatigue on the mound
Loss of interest in pitching or fear of throwing

Any pain should be taken seriously. It’s better to skip a week than to risk a serious overuse injury.

Using a Pitch Count Tool to Stay on Track

In the heat of a game, it’s easy to lose track of pitches, especially if you’re also managing lineups and base running. That’s why many coaches:

Assign an assistant or parent to track pitch counts
Use a phone-based pitch counter
Review rest rules immediately after the outing

On PitchCountCalculator.com, the floating pitch counter at the bottom of the screen lets you tap +1 for each pitch in real time. When you hit “Calculate Now,” it automatically fills in the game total and shows you the recommended rest.

Final Thoughts for Parents

The goal of youth baseball isn’t just to win today’s game — it’s to help kids fall in love with the sport and stay healthy long enough to keep playing. Smart pitch count management is one of the best ways to protect your child’s arm.

Use age-appropriate limits, respected guidelines, plenty of rest, and open communication with coaches. When in doubt, be conservative. There will always be another game.

For quick, game-day decisions about how many pitches are safe and when your child can pitch again, use the Pitch Count & Rest Day Calculator as a simple, mobile-friendly reference.