Rules

Little League Catcher-to-Pitcher Rule — What Coaches Need to Know

Little League Catcher-to-Pitcher Rule

In Little League Baseball, any player who catches four or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch in that same game. Conversely, any player who has pitched in a game and delivered 41 or more pitches cannot catch for the remainder of that game. This rule protects young arms from the combined stress of catching and pitching in the same game.

The Rule, Clearly Stated

Situation	Rule
Catcher catches 4+ innings → wants to pitch	Not allowed in that game
Pitcher throws 41+ pitches → wants to catch	Not allowed for the remainder of that game
Catcher catches 3 or fewer innings → wants to pitch	Allowed (subject to pitch count limits)
Pitcher throws 40 or fewer pitches → wants to catch	Allowed

An "inning caught" means the player was the catcher of record for any part of that half-inning. Even one pitch caught counts as an inning caught.

Why This Rule Exists

Catching and pitching are the two most physically demanding positions in baseball. Both put significant stress on the arm and shoulder. Asking a kid to catch four innings (squatting, throwing to bases, blocking pitches) and then pitch puts them at substantially higher injury risk. The rule forces coaches to plan ahead rather than defaulting to their best athlete for both positions.

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The Scenarios That Trip Coaches Up

Scenario 1: The versatile kid. Your best player catches innings 1-4 and you want him to close the game on the mound in the 6th. He can't. Four innings caught = no pitching.

Scenario 2: The partial inning. Your catcher catches the first three outs of the 4th inning, then you sub in a new catcher for the rest of the game. That's still 4 innings caught (innings 1, 2, 3, and part of 4). He can't pitch.

Scenario 3: The reverse — pitcher moves to catcher. Your starting pitcher throws 45 pitches through 3 innings. You want to move him behind the plate. He can't catch — he's thrown more than 40 pitches.

Scenario 4: The safe swap. Your catcher catches innings 1-3 (3 innings). Your pitcher throws 35 pitches through 3 innings. In the 4th, you can swap them — the catcher can pitch (3 innings caught, under the 4-inning threshold) and the pitcher can catch (35 pitches, under the 41-pitch threshold).

How Rizzler Tracks the Catcher-to-Pitcher Rule

Rizzler's rule compliance engine tracks innings caught and pitches thrown for every player in real time. When you go to make a substitution that would violate the catcher-to-pitcher rule, Rizzler warns you before you send the lineup card to the umpire. No mental math, no checking the scorebook.

The game planning tool also flags potential conflicts when you build your lineup — if you've assigned a player to catch 4+ innings and also listed them as a potential reliever, Rizzler tells you that plan violates the rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the catcher-to-pitcher rule apply to softball?

Little League softball has similar restrictions, though the specific thresholds may differ. Check the current Little League softball rulebook at littleleague.org for softball-specific rules.

Does this rule apply in tournament play?

Yes. The catcher-to-pitcher rule applies in all Little League games — regular season, playoffs, and tournament play including All-Stars.

What counts as an "inning caught"?

Any time the player is the catcher of record for any portion of a half-inning counts as one inning caught. Even if they catch only one pitch before being subbed out, that partial inning counts.

Can a player catch and pitch on different days?

Yes. The catcher-to-pitcher restriction is per-game only. A player who catches on Monday and pitches on Tuesday is fine (assuming they meet rest day requirements from any previous pitching).

What's the penalty for violating this rule?

The game is subject to protest. If upheld, the result is typically a forfeit. In tournament play, it can lead to elimination.

Rizzler tracks catcher-to-pitcher restrictions automatically. Plan your lineup without worrying about a violation. Sign up free.