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How Rizzler's Tournament Planning Tool Works

Rizzler's tournament planning tool maps your entire weekend before the first pitch — pitchers assigned to games, pitch count targets set, rest day rules enforced, and availability updated in real time as games happen. Here's exactly how it works, step by step.

Rizzler tournament planning tool showing a 5-game weekend setup with pitcher assignments and availability grid

Step 1: Create the Tournament

Open the web app and create a new tournament. Enter:

Tournament name (e.g., "Memorial Day Classic 2026")
Dates (Saturday-Sunday, or longer)
Games — Add each game with time, opponent (if known), and format (pool play, bracket, championship)
League rules — Select your governing body. Rizzler loads the correct pitch count limits and rest day requirements.

Rizzler builds a tournament timeline showing all games laid out across the weekend.

Step 2: Assign Your Pitching Plan

This is the core of the tool. For each game, assign:

Starter — who's pitching first
Target pitch count — how many pitches you want this pitcher to throw (not the maximum — your strategic target)
Relief options — who's available if the starter comes out early

As you assign pitchers, the availability grid updates in real time. The grid is a matrix of pitchers × games, color-coded:

Color	Meaning
🟢 Green	Available — no restrictions
🟡 Yellow	Available with limits — close to pitch count threshold that triggers additional rest
🔴 Red	Unavailable — still in a rest period
⚫ Gray	Assigned to start this game

If you assign Pitcher A to throw 55 pitches in Game 1, the grid shows Pitcher A's availability for Games 2-5 based on the rest day rules. You see the downstream impact immediately — before the tournament starts.

Step 3: Model Scenarios

What if Pitcher A gets shelled and only throws 25 pitches? What if Pitcher B is sick? Rizzler lets you create alternate scenarios:

Scenario A: Pitcher A goes 55 pitches in Game 1, Pitcher B starts Game 2
Scenario B: Pitcher A gets pulled early (25 pitches), Pitcher B goes to Game 1, Pitcher C starts Game 2
Scenario C: Pitcher B is unavailable, Pitcher D starts Game 2

Each scenario shows the full weekend's pitcher availability grid. When the actual situation unfolds, you've already planned for it. More on scenario planning →

Step 4: Execute During Games

On game day, open the iOS app. Your game plan for the current game is there — lineup, fielding, pitching assignment.

Count pitches in real time. As your pitcher throws, tap for each pitch. The tournament planner updates:

Current pitch count for this game
Projected rest day impact ("if pulled now: 1 rest day; if he finishes this inning: 2 rest days")
Updated availability for remaining games in the tournament

This is the feature coaches say changes everything. You're not doing the math in your head between innings. You can see exactly what pulling your pitcher now versus letting him throw 10 more pitches means for tomorrow's games.

Ready to take your game to the next level?

Step 5: Recalculate After Each Game

When a game ends, Rizzler replaces projected pitch counts with actual pitch counts and recalculates every remaining game's availability.

Your Game 1 starter threw 48 pitches instead of the planned 55? The grid updates. Maybe he's now available as a reliever in Game 4 instead of only Game 5. That changes your entire plan for Games 2-4. The tool shows you the new reality in seconds.

Rizzler tournament planner showing recalculated pitcher availability after Game 1 actuals are entered

Step 6: Adjust and Continue

Between games, review the updated grid. If the plan needs to change — it usually does — make adjustments and the grid recalculates again. This loop continues through every game:

Plan → Play → Record actual counts → Recalculate → Adjust → Repeat

By the championship game, you know exactly who's available, how many pitches they can throw, and whether you've got enough arms. No surprises.

What the Tool Doesn't Do

It doesn't make the decision for you. The tool shows you the math, the availability, the tradeoffs. You decide whether to pull your starter at 45 pitches to save him for the bracket, or let him throw 65 to win this pool play game. The tool makes sure you're making that decision with full information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tournament planning require the Pro plan?

Yes. Tournament planning is available on the Pro plan ($14.99/mo) and League & Club plan ($799/yr). Single-game planning and pitch counting are on the Free plan. Compare plans →

Can I use the tool for a single doubleheader?

Yes. Create a "tournament" with 2 games. The pitcher availability grid works the same way — tracking rest days between the two games.

How does it handle different leagues' rules?

Set your governing body when creating the tournament. Rizzler loads the correct pitch count limits, rest day thresholds, and catcher-to-pitcher restrictions. For multi-league events, use the most restrictive set of rules.

Can my assistant coaches see the tournament plan?

Yes. Any coach on the team can view the tournament plan, pitcher availability grid, and game plans. In the iOS app, they see the same real-time updates you do.

Tournament planning starts with a plan. Get the full checklist → · Pitching strategy guide → · Tournament Planning Hub →