Arm Care, Mosquito Rep 11U Tourny, 2022, Tourny (Port Dover Minor Baseball)

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SECTION RP2.10   PITCHING RULES
  1. In 10U and 11U, the number of trips to the mound by the Manager/Coach shall not be limited except when, in the judgement of the umpire, the purpose of the trip is to delay the game.
  2. In 12U and 13U, a third trip by the Manager/Coach to the same pitcher in the same inning shall result in the pitcher’s automatic removal from the pitching position.
  3. From 18U and below, including Women, a pitcher once removed from the pitching position, regardless of the number of trips to the mound by the Manager/Coach, may continue in the game at another position but shall not be permitted to return to pitch in that game.
  4. From 14U to Senior, a second trip by a Manager/Coach to the same pitcher in the same inning shall result in the pitcher’s automatic removal from the pitching position. The pitcher, once removed after the second trip in an inning may continue to play at another position but shall not be permitted to return to pitch in that game.
  5. When a pitcher takes their position at the beginning of each inning, or when they relieve another pitcher, they shall be permitted to pitch up to eight preparatory pitches to the catcher, during which play shall be suspended. The plate umpire may reduce this number if, in their judgement, there has been unnecessary delay by the pitcher and/or catcher. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without sufficient opportunity to warm up, the plate umpire shall allow them as many pitches as the plate umpire deems necessary. 
SECTION RP2.11   ARM CARE RULES
  1. Unless otherwise stated, all Arm Care rules listed in P2.11 shall be in force throughout the baseball season and shall apply to all league play and tournament play as sanctioned by Baseball Ontario or any Affiliated Association.
  2. Unless otherwise stated, all Arm Care rules listed in P2.11 shall be enforced at all series 22U and below.
  3. Pitchers shall be limited to the number of pitches thrown in a single day as outlined below.  Pitchers are required to rest in accordance with the chart below as determined by the total number of pitches thrown on any one calendar day.

    9U*

    11U

    13U

    15U

    18U

    22U

    REST REQUIRED

    1‐20

    1‐25

    1‐30

    1‐35

    1‐40

    1‐45

    None

    20‐35

    26‐40

    31‐45

    36‐50

    41‐55

    46‐60

    1 Day

    36‐50

    41‐55

    46‐60

    51‐65

    56‐70

    61‐75

    2 Days

    N/A

    56‐65

    61‐75

    66‐80

    71‐85

    76‐90

    3 Days

    N/A

    66‐75

    76‐85

    81‐95

    86‐105

    91‐115

    4 Days

    50

    75

    85

    95

    105

    115

    Daily Max

    *Please see RP2.11(m) for 9U player pitching requirements.
    Note:  Please see RP2.11(h) for multiple games in any two consecutive days.

  4. For the purposes calculating days of rest required, the day after game day is considered Day 1 of the rest period. (ie: If an 11U pitcher throws 27 pitches on Friday, he will be next eligible to pitch again on Sunday).
  5. If a game extends beyond midnight into the next calendar day, any pitches thrown thereafter shall be counted toward the pitch count of the day the game started. If however, the game is suspended for any reason after midnight, when it resumes, any pitches thrown by any pitcher shall be counted toward the new day.
  6. Intentional walks and balks shall count toward the pitcher’s pitch count total if a pitch has been thrown.
  7. Players are permitted to pitch in 2 separate games in the same day as long as they do not exceed the maximum number of pitches that requires no rest for their age category in the first game of the day. (ie: If an 11U pitcher throws fewer than 25 pitches in the first game, the player may pitch in a second ) No player is permitted to pitch in more than 2 games in any two-day period regardless of the number of pitches thrown.
  8. No player may exceed the Daily Maximum for their age category in any two‐day period. If a player pitches in two games in a day or on two consecutive days, days rest required shall be calculated using the combined total of the number of pitches thrown.
    Ex1: 22U player throws 45 pitches on Friday in a tournament (no rest required). That pitcher is permitted to pitch again on Saturday to a maximum of 70 pitches so as not to exceed 115.

    Ex2: In the same scenario as Ex1, the total number of pitches thrown are added together to determine days rest. If the player threw 45 pitches on Friday and 70 pitches on Saturday, the pitcher must rest for 4 days and is next eligible to pitch on Thursday.
  9. Pitchers will be permitted to complete the at‐bat of the batter they are facing when their Daily Maximum pitch limit has been reached for that calendar day but must be removed immediately after (i) the batter is retired, or (ii) the batter becomes a runner, or (iii) the third out of the inning is made.
  10. The total number of pitches thrown by an ambidextrous pitcher shall be charged toward their pitch count regardless of which arm(s), or combination thereof, the pitcher uses to throw.
  11. No player may pitch on three consecutive days unless their total pitch count for the three days does not exceed the number of pitches where no rest is required for that age category. A pitcher may not pitch on 4 consecutive days regardless of pitch count.
  12. Once removed from the pitching position, a player may not catch for the remainder of the day.
  13.  UPDATED Any player who is playing in a series higher than their age appropriate series shall be restricted to the pitch count limitations and required rest periods applicable to the age of the player, provided the following:
    1. Players aged 8 and under and not permitted to pitch in any circumstance.
    2. 9 year-old players who are called‐up to play on a 10U or 11U team are not permitted to
    3. 9 year-old players who are rostered to a 10U or 11U team shall be permitted to pitch with the following limitations:
      • 0 Days Rest: 1‐20 Pitches
      • 1 Day Rest: 20‐35 Pitches
      • 2 Days Rest: 36‐50 Pitches
      • Daily Maximum: 50 Pitches
  14.  UPDATED Penalty: For violation of any Arm Care rules as prescribed in RP2.11(c) to (m),
    1. the Manager the Manager is ejected and the game is immediately forfeited. The Manager shall receive a one game automatic suspension. If however, the Official Pitch Counter does not make the Manager & umpire aware of the violation, the game shall not be forfeited but the Manager will still be ejected and suspended.
    2. If a pitcher throws during their mandatory days rest period in violation of RP2.11(c), the pitcher’s maximum days rest period will reset to the maximum rest period of 4 days from the date of the appearance constituting the violation.
    3. In the event that a player pitches on a required rest day and the violation is not caught until after the game, the player shall be required to rest 4 complete days from the day they last pitched and the Manager will receive an automatic two-game suspension to be served at the next scheduled game of consequence.
    4. In any case, if the arm care violation is not caught until after the game, the game will not be retroactively forfeited.
  15. Any player who is playing in a series higher than their age must be identified on the lineup card. Any underage player not identified on the lineup card is ineligible to pitch. Should any such unidentified underage player pitch, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitching position and the Manager ejected.
  16. When a player reaches their Daily Maximum pitch count, the manager or coach may remove the pitcher from the pitching position immediately without penalty, regardless of the number of trips already charged to the pitcher during the inning or at‐bat.
  17.  UPDATED For all games except tournament play, the home team shall designate an official pitch counter for their team who shall be responsible for tracking the pitches of both teams.
  18. During OBA sanctioned tournament play, the host shall designate an official pitch counter for each The host may designate participating teams as the official pitch counter at their discretion.
  19. The official pitch counter must provide the current pitch count upon request by either manager or the umpire.
  20. The official pitch counter shall inform the plate umpire when a pitcher has delivered their Daily Maximum pitch count. The plate umpire shall inform the manager that the pitcher must be removed, (i) immediately if the Daily Maximum threshold has been reached at the end of an at‐bat, or (ii) following the completion of the at‐bat or inning, subject to RP2.11(h).
    Note: Failure by the Official Pitch Counter to inform the plate umpire of a pitcher reaching their Daily Maximum pitch count does not relieve the Manager of their responsibility to know the pitch count and remove the pitcher.
    Penalty: Failure to remove the pitcher with no notification by the Official Pitch Counter will result in the manager’s immediate ejection and the pitcher shall be removed from the pitching position immediately and will not be permitted to complete the at‐bat. This will be treated as an emergency situation and the incoming pitcher shall receive as many warm‐up pitches as the plate umpire deems necessary.
  21.  UPDATED For all games except tournament play, the Manager (or designate) shall record the number of pitches thrown for each of their team’s players within 24 hours (or before the start of the next game, whichever is earlier) of the game’s start time using the OBA Pitch Count Tracker.
  22. During tournament play, pitch counts must be entered within 1 hour following the end of the game (or before the start of the next game, whichever is earlier) by the home team Manager (or designate).
  23. The Manager of the opposing team will receive notification of the pitch count entry into the system and will have 24 hours from that time to verify or challenge the pitch count from that game.
    1. Any challenge of an official pitch count will be forwarded to the Series Chair for resolution.
    2. The decision of the Series Chair with regard to Pitch Counts shall be final.
  24. Penalty: 
    1. Failure to enter pitch count results within the specified timelines, as set forth in RP2.11(u), will result in the following penalties:
      1. On a team’s first offense of the season, immediate suspension of the Manager until the pitch count is entered.
      2. On a team’s second (or any subsequent offense), the Manager will receive an automatic 5 game suspension.
    2. Failure by team to adopt these pitch count rules will result in the team forfeiting their right to classify for an OBA Championship and participate in OBA sanctioned tournaments.
  25. Any coach or manager whose actions cause a player’s pitch counts to be exceeded or not counted as required by these rules, and that action is not identified until after the game is completed, shall be subject to a suspension of not less than 2 games which may be extended at the discretion of the Series Chair.
CAN PITCHERS PITCH IN MULTIPLE GAMES ON THE SAME DAY?

Yes, pitchers can pitch in 2 games (max) on the same day as long as they don’t exceed their no rest required threshold in the first game of the day.  The pitch count for both games will be added together to calculate days rest required.  For example, a 15U pitcher could throw 25 pitches in game 1 of a doubleheader and in game 2 can pitch again because they haven’t exceeded their no-days rest threshold.  They start game 2 at pitch 26 and can throw a total of 95 pitches combined over the two games.

CAN PITCHERS PITCH TWO DAYS IN A ROW?

Yes, pitchers can pitch on two consecutive days as long as they haven’t exceeded their no rest required threshold on the first day and have only pitched in one game on the first day. 

On Day 2, the pitcher starts the day with the same number of pitches thrown on Day 1.  So, for example, if a pitcher threw 20 pitches on Friday, they can pitch again on Saturday but their pitch count for the day starts at 21, not at zero.

Pitchers can not pitch in more than 2 games in any 2-day period.  In all cases, the pitch count for all games are added together to calculate days rest required.

CAN PITCHERS PITCH THREE DAYS IN A ROW?

Yes, pitchers can pitch on three consecutive days as long as they do not exceed their no rest required threshold in all three games combined.  For example, at 13U, a pitcher could throw 10 pitches each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; as long as the pitcher does not exceed 30 pitches over the three consecutive days, this is permitted.  If a pitcher throws on three consecutive days, they must rest for 1 day before they are eligible to pitch again.

CAN A PLAYER PITCH AND CATCH IN THE SAME GAME/DAY?

Yes, in Rep baseball only.  This rule is the only Arm Care rule that is different between Rep and Select.

  • A Rep player can catch and then pitch on the same day.
  • A Rep player can not pitch and then catch on the same day.
  • A Select player can not pitch or catch on the same day regardless of which order they start.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTERING THE PITCH COUNT AND WHEN?

The Home Team is always responsible for entering the pitch count for both teams.

The Head Coach is accountable for the pitch count but may delegate it to a trusted assistant coach, team manager, trainer, or other volunteer.  Only coaches on an approved Baseball Ontario roster will be given credentials to log in to the app.

DO PITCH COUNTS HAVE TO BE ENTERED LIVE IN-GAME OR CAN THEY BE ENTERED AFTER THE GAME?

In Rep tournaments, pitch counts must be entered in the app live in-game (pitch-by-pitch).  During regular season play it is permitted to enter pitch counts after the game as long as they are entered within 24 hours.  However, Baseball Ontario strongly recommends pitch-by-pitch tracking in the app for all games to ensure that coaches are notified of potential violations before they occur to avoid penalties to their team. Pitch-by-pitch tracking also displays real-time pitch counts, pitches remaining, and dramatically reduces the volume of data entry errors versus entering pitch counts post-game.

WHAT SHOULD THE HOME TEAM DO IF EITHER TEAM HAS REACHED THEIR PITCH COUNT LIMIT?

The Home Team is responsible for notifying the plate umpire when the opposing team’s pitcher has reached their pitch count limit as soon as the app turns RED. The umpire must notify the Away Team Head Coach.  The Head Coach is responsible for reporting to the umpire regardless of if they have delegated the pitch count responsibilities to someone.

The Away team has the right to request the pitch count for either team at any time throughout the game to ensure that the count is accurate, and rules have not been violated.

WHAT PENALTIES APPLY WHEN A TEAM VIOLATES THE PITCH COUNT RULES?

Different penalties apply depending on which team violates the pitch count rule, whether or not the umpire was notified, as well as if and when the violation was reported.

TEAM VIOLATION

VIOLATION REPORTED

PENALTY

Home Team violates pitch count

In game

Forfeit +

1 game suspension for Head Coach

Home Team violates pitch count

Post-game

No forfeit

2 game suspension for Head Coach

Away Team violates pitch count after notification by Official Pitch Counter to umpire at time of infraction

In game

Forfeit +

1 game suspension for Head Coach

Away Team violates pitch count withNOnotification to umpire at time of infraction

In game

No forfeit

Head Coach is ejected +

1 game suspension for Head Coach

Away team violates pitch count

Post-game

No forfeit

2 game suspension for Head Coach

The intent of these rules is to enforce the pitch count rules and not to promote forfeits.  The Home Team is responsible for the pitch count and therefore the duty of responsibility falls upon the home team to notify the opposing team of a pitcher reaching their pitch count via the plate umpire.  Regardless of whether or not the Home Team Head Coach delegates the pitch count to someone else, they are ultimately responsible and accountable to the Pitch Count.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM IS NOT IN THE APP?

If a team is not in the app, it means that their roster has not yet been submitted and the team is not permitted to play.  In Rep, as per RP1.9(m), after May 1st, any team playing without having submitted a roster shall be automatically suspended until their roster is submitted.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A PLAYER IS NOT ON THE TEAM IN THE APP?

If a player is not on the team in the app, they are not permitted to pitch.  Call-up players can be added only by the team they are playing on before the game starts.  Once the game starts, they can’t be added to the team in the app and are therefore not allowed to pitch.