What is the TSSAA baseball pitch count rule? Here are the guidelines

Q: What are the TSSAA baseball pitch count limits for high school players?

The TSSAA pitch count limits vary by age group, with specific maximums set to ensure player safety during games.

Q: Why were the TSSAA pitch count rules implemented?

The TSSAA pitch count rules were implemented to protect players' health by preventing overuse of their throwing arms.

Q: How does the TSSAA enforce pitch count compliance during games?

The TSSAA enforces pitch count compliance through monitoring by coaches and officials, ensuring teams adhere to the established limits.

Q: What happens if a team exceeds the TSSAA pitch count rule?

If a team exceeds the TSSAA pitch count rule, they may face penalties, including the possibility of forfeiting the game.

What is the TSSAA baseball pitch count rule? Here are the guidelines

What are the TSSAA baseball pitch count rules?

It’s a common question as the Tennessee high school baseball season begins district tournament play this week.

Pitch count rules are written to protect players’ health by preventing overuse of their throwing arms. The rules may be abused — intentionally or not — when teams compete with their top pitcher more than what’s allowed.

Chronic inflammation or severe injury, like ulnar collateral ligament or tears or damaged shoulder cartilage, are the main concerns with high school players’ arms.

It’s important to note that there is no mandated pitch count for TSSAA softball.

Here’s what the TSSAA rules say about Tennessee pitch count rules in baseball.

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Lipscomb Academy shortstop Jack Dugan (11) drops the ball while attempting to tag CPA’s Roman Abbagnaro (36) at second base during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

CPA left fielder Kyler Gorley (4) watches a home run hit by Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) is congratulated by coach Brad Coon after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) celebrates with teammate after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

CPA second baseman Ames Dabrowiak (2) turns a double play against Lipscomb Academy during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos

CPA second baseman Ames Dabrowiak (2) turns a double play against Lipscomb Academy during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

More: TSSAA baseball district tournament brackets, scores for Nashville area

More: Who are Nashville area's top players entering TSSAA baseball postseason?

TSSAA baseball pitch count rules

Here’s a breakdown on the numbers. The important points are the number of maximum pitches per day — not necessarily per game — and the number of rest days mandated for a given number of pitches.

● Middle school (6th-8th grade): The maximum number of pitches per day is 85. Players who throw 1-19 pitches require zero days' rest; 20-35 pitches require one day; 36-50 require two days; 51-66 require three days and 67-85 require four days.

● High school (freshman/JV): The maximum number of pitches per day is 100. Players who throw 1-25 pitches require zero days' rest; 26-40 pitches require one day; 41-65 require two days; 66-80 require three days; 81-100 require four days.

● High school (varsity): The maximum number of pitches per day is 120. Players who throw 1-25 pitches require zero days' rest; 26-55 require one day; 56-75 require two days; 76-105 require three days; 106-120 require four days.

Tennessee high school baseball pitch count regulations

There are some finer points to the TSSAA pitch count rules.

● A player can’t pitch three days in a row regardless of the number of pitches thrown. Using a pitcher three days in a row would violate the rule regarding using an ineligible player.

● Each pitch will count as a pitch. Even if a pitcher surpasses a cutoff number, the pitch count will be exactly the number of pitches thrown. No pitch count will revert to another number.

● The TSSAA strongly encourages coaches to check with the opposing team between each half inning to make sure both teams agree to and record the same pitch count.

● If there’s a disagreement on the pitch count, the home team’s count will be the final accepted count.

● Both teams must sign each other’s pitch count form at the end of each game.

● The pitch count will apply to any player who pitches and is cumulative each day. JV pitch count and high school varsity pitch count are linked together. For example, a pitcher who throws 45 varsity pitches on Monday is not permitted to pitch JV on Tuesday.

● The pitch count applies to regular season and postseason.

● A pitcher may pitch in Game 1 of a doubleheader and return to pitch in Game 2 of the same doubleheader. The pitches in Game 2 will be added to the Game 1 total for purposes of determining the number of days rest needed.

What are the penalties for violating TSSAA baseball pitch count rules?

The first violation is a $50 fine and the coach is suspended for one game at the level the violation occurred.

A second violation results in a $250 fine and two-game suspension for the coach at the level the violation occurred.

A third violation results in a $500 fine and four-game suspension for the coach at level the violation occurred.

Are there TSSAA softball pitch count rules?

No, but some coaches wonder if that should change.

The TSSAA encourages coaches to manage pitchers and exercise caution.

Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.

He also contributes to The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee high school baseball pitch count rules, regulations