Illinois High School Pitch Count Rules (IHSA)
- Last checked Nov 1, 2026
- By Julien Levadoux
Under IHSA rules, Illinois high school pitchers may throw up to 105 pitches a day (varsity). Up to 30 pitches needs no rest; 76 or more needs 4 calendar days of rest. The other tables and the extra limits are below.
The IHSA rest tables
Varsity · 105 pitches a day at most
| Pitches in a day | Rest before pitching again |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | None: may pitch the next day |
| 31–45 | 1 calendar day |
| 46–60 | 2 calendar days |
| 61–75 | 3 calendar days |
| 76–105 | 4 calendar days |
Sub-varsity · 95 pitches a day at most
| Pitches in a day | Rest before pitching again |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | None: may pitch the next day |
| 31–45 | 1 calendar day |
| 46–60 | 2 calendar days |
| 61–75 | 3 calendar days |
| 76–95 | 4 calendar days |
Other limits
- Caps are 'soft': a pitcher who reaches the limit mid-at-bat may finish that batter.
- Sliding scale on the NEXT appearance in the regular season: e.g., 31-45 pitches -> 1 day rest then max 90; 46-60 -> 2 days then max 60 (75 after 3 days, 105 after 4); 61-75 -> 3 days then max 75 (105 after 4); 76-105 -> 4 days then max 90 (105 after 5).
- A pitcher who throws 1-30 may pitch two consecutive days; a third consecutive day is capped at 45 pitches and then requires two days of rest.
- A fourth appearance within a 7-day period is capped at 45 pitches.
- Pitch counts are per day: both games of a doubleheader are added to set the rest required.
- Postseason: same rest tiers but no cap on the next appearance's pitch count.
- Violations may result in forfeiture; the IHSA Executive Director reviews each case.
Source: IHSA Baseball Pitch Count Guidelines (IHSA Handbook and pitch count guidelines (2021-22 edition)). Checked Nov 1, 2026.
The calculator above is set to Illinois. 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 68 pitches on a Tuesday needs 3 calendar days of rest, so the first day they can pitch again is Saturday. The most rest any Illinois table requires is 4 days.
More than one table
Illinois doesn’t use one table for everyone. Varsity: up to 105 pitches a day, 76+ pitches means 4 calendar days of rest. Sub-varsity: up to 95 pitches a day, 76+ pitches means 4 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: IHSA Baseball Pitch Count Guidelines, read as the IHSA Handbook and pitch count guidelines (2021-22 edition). 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.