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Tournament Rules

Quick access to important tournament information and tools for coaches throughout the event.

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Tournament Setup

Pitch Limits

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limits are determined by the player’s league age (not their division).

 

If it is a players first appearance pitching, they are limited to 35 pitches in that day.

Age 11–12: 85 pitches per day

Age 9 –10: 75 pitches per day

Age 7 – 8: 50 pitches per day

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Pitcher-to-Catcher

 

The Pitcher-to-Catcher Rule: Any player who has delivered 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

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Catcher-to-Pitcher

 

The Catcher-to-Pitcher Rule: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.

 

MANDATORY DAYS REST (ALL DIVISIONS)

 

For safety reasons, the number of pitches thrown determines how many calendar days a player must rest before pitching again.

 

Pitches Thrown Required Days of Rest66+4 Calendar Days51–653 Calendar Days36–502 Calendar Days21–351 Calendar Day1–200 Days (Can pitch tomorrow but never 3 days in a row)*For example, a player that throws 36 pitches on Friday will not be eligible to pitch again until MondayReminders for Coaches:The "Finish the Batter" Rule: If a pitcher reaches a rest-threshold (e.g., 35, 50, or 65) during a batter, they may finish the batter and still be credited with the lower threshold - please share this with your pitch-counters and keep them informed on your strategyPitch Logs: Both teams must track pitch counts. Please ensure the official pitch counts are reviewed by both coaches at the end of every game to avoid disputes.Double Headers: A player may not pitch in two games in a single day regardless of the number of pitches thrown

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*For example, a player that throws 36 pitches on Friday will not be eligible to pitch again until Monday

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The "Finish the Batter" Rule

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If a pitcher reaches a rest-threshold (e.g., 35, 50, or 65) during a batter, they may finish the batter and still be credited with the lower threshold - please share this with your pitch-counters and keep them informed on your strategy.

 

Pitch Logs: Both teams must track pitch counts. Please ensure the official pitch counts are reviewed by both coaches at the end of every game to avoid disputes.

 

Double Headers: A player may not pitch in two games in a single day regardless of the number of pitches thrown

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Pitch Count Rules

Pitch Limits

​

limits are determined by the player’s league age (not their division).

 

If it is a players first appearance pitching, they are limited to 35 pitches in that day.

Age 11–12: 85 pitches per day

Age 9 –10: 75 pitches per day

Age 7 – 8: 50 pitches per day

​

Pitcher-to-Catcher

 

The Pitcher-to-Catcher Rule: Any player who has delivered 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

​

Catcher-to-Pitcher

 

The Catcher-to-Pitcher Rule: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.

 

MANDATORY DAYS REST (ALL DIVISIONS)

 

For safety reasons, the number of pitches thrown determines how many calendar days a player must rest before pitching again.

 

Pitches Thrown Required Days of Rest66+4 Calendar Days51–653 Calendar Days36–502 Calendar Days21–351 Calendar Day1–200 Days (Can pitch tomorrow but never 3 days in a row)*For example, a player that throws 36 pitches on Friday will not be eligible to pitch again until MondayReminders for Coaches:The "Finish the Batter" Rule: If a pitcher reaches a rest-threshold (e.g., 35, 50, or 65) during a batter, they may finish the batter and still be credited with the lower threshold - please share this with your pitch-counters and keep them informed on your strategyPitch Logs: Both teams must track pitch counts. Please ensure the official pitch counts are reviewed by both coaches at the end of every game to avoid disputes.Double Headers: A player may not pitch in two games in a single day regardless of the number of pitches thrown

​

*For example, a player that throws 36 pitches on Friday will not be eligible to pitch again until Monday

​

The "Finish the Batter" Rule

​

If a pitcher reaches a rest-threshold (e.g., 35, 50, or 65) during a batter, they may finish the batter and still be credited with the lower threshold - please share this with your pitch-counters and keep them informed on your strategy.

 

Pitch Logs: Both teams must track pitch counts. Please ensure the official pitch counts are reviewed by both coaches at the end of every game to avoid disputes.

 

Double Headers: A player may not pitch in two games in a single day regardless of the number of pitches thrown

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Tie Breaker Rules

1. On-Field Tie Games (Extra Innings)

When a game remains tied after regulation innings, Cal-West uses the Little League International Tiebreaker rules to decide a winner.

  • The Process: - Round 1 - Games can end in a tie.  Step 2 applies only after the round is completed if teams are tied in the rankings

    • Playoff Rounds A, B, and C - A 7th inning can be played.  Reminder that no new inning can start after 2 hours.  If time does not allow for starting a 7th inning, proceed to step 2.   In the 7th inning, each half-inning begins with the offensive team placing the player who batted last in the previous inning on second base.  This helps promote scoring to break the tie.  If the game is still tied after 7 innings, proceed to step 2.

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2. Tie Breaking procedure

Official Little League tie-breaker process is to be followed in sequential order.  Only proceed to the next step if teams are still tied.

  • Step 1: Head-to-Head – If tied teams have faced one another in the tournament, results of their (first) head-to-head matchup will determine the team that moves on

  • Step 2: Runs-Allowed Ratio
    If head-to-head records cannot break the tie, leagues calculate the Runs-Allowed Ratio. This is determined by dividing the total number of runs given up in all tournament games by the number of defensive half-innings played. The team with the lowest ratio advances.

  • Step 3: Run Differential
    If teams are still tied, run differential (total runs scored minus total runs allowed) is calculated for the tournament.

  • Step 4: Coin Toss
    If both mathematical ratios and differentials are equal, ties will settle via a coin flip supervised by a league official

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