Rules - Double-header weekends

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1. Subject to number 2 below, no pitcher should be asked to throw more than a total of FOUR innings during the course of the weekend. Before a pitcher is asked to throw a fourth inning during a weekend, the coach must consult with both the player and his or her parents, and all must agree that it is appropriate for the player to pitch. For this purpose, one pitch will constitute an inning.

2. If a pitcher pitches THREE innings in the first game of the weekend, that player may not pitch again during that same weekend.

3. Coaches should in any event keep a sharp eye on the pitch count for their pitchers. If a kid is throwing too many pitches, take him or her off the mound. While we think innings rather than number of pitches is a better measure for our league, Paul Hartzell has pointed out that in most youth leagues (and in the big leagues in Spring training) pitchers would consider throwing more than 50--60 pitches without significant rest a very dangerous proposition. Most chronic arm injuries develop because kids (and adults) throw when they are tired.

We understand that the arithmetic of this policy suggests that you use a pitcher for two innings on each day of the weekend (provided that there is agreement on using him or her in a fourth inning). We also understand that this will mean that many of you will have to use a third pitcher in a league that is not "deep" with pitchers. Nonetheless we think that the safety of the kids is infinitely more important than any considerations of winning or losing.

These rules ultimately depend for their success in the common sense of the adults who must apply them. As before, we don't plan to police compliance.

We depend on all of you to do what you have always done best -- absolutely and in all circumstances put the kids first.