2008 Little League rule change

[biittner77]

Last year Little League added a pitch count rule to replace the old max innings per week rule. In that same spirit, this year's new rule is that if a player throws even 1 pitch he cannot play catcher during that game. The catcher can however pitch in a game even after having caught the first 5 innings. What do you think of this rule?

[UK1679666180]

It's good, most kids struggle to throw strikes at that age and it takes a toll on the arm.

 

Of course, they should ban curve balls or any breaking pitch as well.

[Yanksfan1523]

Are they concerned with throws to second after pitching, in little league? Maybe I am just very tired, but I don't see what this is going to do?

[UK1679666180]

Can you even steal in LL?

 

I think it has to do with the constant throwing back to the pitcher. Besides, common sense should tell the coaches to do whatever it takes to cool down that arm (ice, stretching, etc.) rather than keep him out there, of course, I see HS coaches do it.

[JoshiQ]

I was a fan of the pitch count. But this? Seems a little excessive. There aren't that many stolen bases in little league to account for this.

[biittner77]

Yes they can steal bases but very rarely does the catcher even throw to 2nd let alone get anybody out. This rule is based on the catcher having to throw the ball back to the pitcher.

 

From a competitive standpoint it's very hard to find a player that can play catcher. Usually since that is one of your better athletes most teams also need that player to pitch. The result of this rule is that each team will probably need to either find 3 kids that can play catcher or have one that does nothing else.

[CuseCubFan69]

Pitch counts are a nice start. What I'd like to see is if a kid throws 70 or so pitches, he can't play another position for a couple days. I want them to throw but to do so gradually and not play SS the next day after throwing a lot of pitches the day before.

 

Imo, the biggest problem we face regarding injuries is the year round playing of baseball. Kids need some time off to do kid things and this insane push to do this year round is forcing injuries to arms and shoulders at a much much earlier age than ever before.

[biittner77]

Pitch counts are a nice start. What I'd like to see is if a kid throws 70 or so pitches, he can't play another position for a couple days. I want them to throw but to do so gradually and not play SS the next day after throwing a lot of pitches the day before.

 

What about 1st base?

 

Our league never schedules back to back games on purpose.

[CuseCubFan69]

Pitch counts are a nice start. What I'd like to see is if a kid throws 70 or so pitches, he can't play another position for a couple days. I want them to throw but to do so gradually and not play SS the next day after throwing a lot of pitches the day before.

 

What about 1st base?

 

Our league never schedules back to back games on purpose.

 

All it takes is one throw. You have to let their arms recoup and though I agree that first throws the ball the least, that one time you have a play at home or third from first and they just let it fly and snap. Personally, I just DH/AH (additional hitter) the kid until his arm is ok. 1st base is the best spot if you have to have the kid play defense.

[Guest]

Last year Little League added a pitch count rule to replace the old max innings per week rule. In that same spirit, this year's new rule is that if a player throws even 1 pitch he cannot play catcher during that game. The catcher can however pitch in a game even after having caught the first 5 innings. What do you think of this rule?

 

I really don't see a point in this. If you're going to make the first part of it, then a player who catches shouldn't be allowed to pitch later. I mean, is there really a difference between playing the first three innings at catcher and the last three as a pitcher and vice versa?

 

EDIT: And for clarification, I think pitch counts are a good thing.

[OleMissCub]

We weren't allowed to throw breaking balls until our freshman year. We did throw cutter type pitches in little league though.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

is there really a difference between playing the first three innings at catcher and the last three as a pitcher and vice versa?

there's a big difference between catching first and pitching later and vice versa -- pitchers throw the ball a lot harder than catchers, putting a lot more stress on the arm. when you pitch first, the damage is done, and it's probably not smart to keep throwing

[biittner77]

Another new rule this year: a pitcher must have a game of rest between pitching appearances regardless of the number of pitches. A 9-10 year old can throw 70 pitches before they have to be removed. Under the old rule, rest was determined by number of pitches thrown:

0-20 next day

21-40 1 day rest

41-60 2 days rest

61+ 3 days rest

 

I think by doing this LL is making a big mistake. Last year I'd throw 3 pitchers for 40 pitches each. Now people will be more tempted to just leave the kid in for all 70 pitches.

[OleMissCub]

 

I think by doing this LL is making a big mistake. Last year I'd throw 3 pitchers for 40 pitches each. Now people will be more tempted to just leave the kid in for all 70 pitches.

 

That's a great point.

[CuseCubFan69]

 

I think by doing this LL is making a big mistake. Last year I'd throw 3 pitchers for 40 pitches each. Now people will be more tempted to just leave the kid in for all 70 pitches.

 

That's a great point.

 

Many LL coaches will find a loophole anytime they can.

[biittner77]

The official reason for this change is that it's for competitve balance in case of scheduling anomolies.

 

In our league we play twice a week usually unless there's a rainout which means that a kid can only pitch once a week. That means I need to have at least 4 pitchers. I know I have 3 and can probably come up with a 4th. The other teams in our league on the other hand...

 

I guess the good news is that the kid that pitches game 1 can catch game 2 later in the week and vice versa.