Stats
Pitching Stats: Every Mound Stat Explained for Coaches
Pitching stats measure what happens on the mound — effectiveness, workload, and command. At the youth level, the most important pitching stats aren't about dominance. They're about arm safety and development. A 12-year-old's ERA matters less than their pitch count and strike percentage.
Quick Reference
| Stat | Formula | What It Measures | Detail Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earned Run Average (ERA) | (Earned Runs ÷ Innings Pitched) × Game Innings | Runs allowed per game equivalent | → |
| Pitch Count | Total pitches thrown in a game | Workload — the foundation of arm safety | → |
| Strike Percentage | Strikes ÷ Total Pitches | Command — how often a pitcher throws strikes | → |
Which Pitching Stats Matter Most?
For arm safety: Pitch Count. This isn't a performance stat — it's a health stat. Every youth league tracks it because overuse causes arm injuries. Rizzler counts pitches in real time during games and calculates rest days automatically. More on pitch counting →
For development: Strike Percentage. At the youth level, the ability to throw strikes consistently is the single best indicator of pitching development. A kid who throws 60%+ strikes is ahead of most peers. A kid under 50% needs mechanical work before worrying about velocity or pitch selection.
For performance: ERA. ERA measures how many runs a pitcher allows per game. It's the standard performance stat, but it's noisy at the youth level because defense behind the pitcher varies wildly. Use it directionally, not as gospel.
Pitching Stats by Age Group
| Age | Primary Focus | Secondary | Not Yet Useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8U-9U | Throwing strikes, having fun | Strike percentage | ERA, WHIP, K rate |
| 10U-11U | Pitch count compliance, strike % | Pitches per inning | ERA |
| 12U | Pitch count, strike %, first-pitch strike % | ERA, pitches per inning | Advanced stuff |
| 13U-14U | All of the above + pitch speed | K rate, walk rate | Leave scouting to scouts |
How Rizzler Tracks Pitching Stats
Rizzler's pitch counting feature tracks every pitch during games — ball or strike. From that raw data, the app automatically calculates:
- Total pitch count per game
- Strike percentage per game and per season
- Pitches per inning
- Rest day requirements based on league rules
- First-pitch strike rate
On the Pro plan, pitch counts cascade across tournament weekends, showing pitcher availability for every game in the bracket. Heatmaps show pitch locations — where your pitcher lives in the zone and where they get hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good strike percentage for a youth pitcher?
At most youth ages, 55-65% is average. Above 65% is strong. Below 50% means the pitcher walks too many batters and needs command work. Full breakdown →
Is ERA useful at the youth level?
Somewhat. ERA tells you how many runs a pitcher allows, but at 10U-12U, errors behind the pitcher inflate earned runs. Use ERA alongside strike percentage and pitch count trends for a fuller picture. More on ERA →
How do I track pitch counts during a game?
Use Rizzler's iOS app. Tap once per pitch — ball or strike. The app tracks the count, projects rest day impact, and alerts before the limit. Pitch counting feature →
