Pitch counts are the simplest, most evidence-backed way to manage a young arm. MLB's Pitch Smart program, developed with the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) and USA Baseball, sets daily pitch limits and required rest days by age — because overuse, not mechanics alone, is the biggest controllable risk factor for youth arm injuries.
Below is the at-a-glance chart, followed by how to read it and the limits of pitch counting on its own.
Daily pitch count limits by age
| Age | Daily max (pitches) |
|---|---|
| 7–8 | 50 |
| 9–10 | 75 |
| 11–12 | 85 |
| 13–14 | 95 |
| 15–16 | 95 |
| 17–18 | 105 |
Maximum pitches in a single day. Source: MLB Pitch Smart. Always confirm the current chart and your league's rules.
Required rest days by pitch count
Hitting the daily max isn't a green light to throw again tomorrow. Pitch Smart ties days of rest to how many pitches were thrown. Here are the thresholds for ages 14 and under:
| Pitches in a day | Rest required |
|---|---|
| 1–20 | None |
| 21–35 | 1 day |
| 36–50 | 2 days |
| 51–65 | 3 days |
| 66+ | 4 days |
Rest required after a given day's pitch count, ages 14 & under. Source: MLB Pitch Smart.
Older age groups
Rest thresholds are slightly higher for ages 15–18 (more pitches allowed before each rest tier). See the full Pitch Smart guidelines for the 15–16 and 17–18 charts.
How to actually use these numbers
- Count every competitive pitch. Warm-up throws and bullpens add load too, even if they don't count toward the game limit.
- Respect the rest, not just the cap. A pitcher who throws 66 pitches needs the full rest period before throwing again — including catch and long toss.
- Watch the calendar, not just the game. Back-to-back tournaments are where counts quietly pile up across a weekend.
- Layer in how the arm feels. Pitch counts are a workload ceiling, not a readiness signal. A tired arm at 60 pitches matters more than a fresh arm at 80.
Where pitch counts fall short
Pitch counts measure how much a player threw — not how the arm is responding. Two pitchers can throw the same 80 pitches and recover completely differently. That's why soreness, recovery, and trends over time matter alongside the raw count.
ArmTrack logs throwing volume and daily soreness in about 60 seconds, then turns the trend into a readiness score — so the count and the feel live in one place. Free for players and coaches.
Get Started Free →Not medical advice
These are general workload guidelines, not a diagnosis or a guarantee against injury. Follow your league's rules and consult a physician or athletic trainer for any pain that lingers.