California High School Pitch Count Rules (CIF)
- Last checked Nov 1, 2026
- By Julien Levadoux
Under CIF rules, California high school pitchers may throw up to 110 pitches a day (varsity). Up to 30 pitches needs no rest; 76 or more needs 3 calendar days of rest. The other tables and the extra limits are below.
The CIF rest tables
Varsity · 110 pitches a day at most
| Pitches in a day | Rest before pitching again |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | None: may pitch the next day |
| 31–50 | 1 calendar day |
| 51–75 | 2 calendar days |
| 76–110 | 3 calendar days |
Freshman, Frosh-Soph, JV · 90 pitches a day at most
| Pitches in a day | Rest before pitching again |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | None: may pitch the next day |
| 31–50 | 1 calendar day |
| 51–75 | 2 calendar days |
| 76–90 | 3 calendar days |
Other limits
- A pitcher may finish the current batter if the limit is reached during that at-bat; rest is based on the actual total including those pitches.
- A day of rest is a calendar day; counts do not reset weekly.
- A pitcher may appear in a second game the same day only if he threw 30 or fewer pitches in the first game (no rest required), and the day's total may not exceed the limit.
- Pitches in an intentional walk with no pitches thrown, and pitches after time-out is granted, do not count; a balk pitch counts only if delivered to the batter.
- Pitches in no-games and suspended games count.
- Any violation is a forfeit, including one found after the game.
- Southern Section Bylaw 1500 also limits a pitcher to 30 outs and/or three appearances per calendar week (Monday start); violation is a forfeit.
Source: CIF Bylaw 1501, Pitch Count (Southern Section Blue Book) (CIF Bylaw 1501, 2025-26 and 2026-27). Checked Nov 1, 2026.
The calculator above is set to California. Enter the pitches thrown and the day, and it shows the rest required and the first day the pitcher can throw again.
How to read the rule
Rest is counted in calendar days, after the day the pitcher threw. On the Varsity table, a pitcher who throws 63 pitches on a Tuesday needs 2 calendar days of rest, so the first day they can pitch again is Friday. The most rest any California table requires is 3 days.
More than one table
California doesn’t use one table for everyone. Varsity: up to 110 pitches a day, 76+ pitches means 3 calendar days of rest. Freshman, Frosh-Soph, JV: up to 90 pitches a day, 76+ pitches means 3 calendar days of rest. Pick the one that fits in the calculator; both are printed below it.
Where the rule comes from
These numbers are from the association’s own document: CIF Bylaw 1501, Pitch Count (Southern Section Blue Book), read as the CIF Bylaw 1501, 2025-26 and 2026-27. Associations can change their rules between seasons, so if the season is about to start, check the association’s current baseball manual too. Your league or tournament may also set stricter limits than the state.
Keeping the count is usually the coaches’ job, often with both teams’ counts compared after the game. The pitch count log has a line for every pitcher and game.