8U-how many innings per day for pitchers?

[ValleyCoach]

Back 10 years ago most 8u tournaments in Northern California had a rule that a pitcher couldn't pitch more than 2 innings a game but could pitch 1 more inning if the game went more than 4 innings. Looks like except for "rec" divisions in 8u tournaments the Southern California mania has infected the "C" 8u rules and there are no limits on pitcher innings per game.

My goal in tournaments has always been to go 2-1 on Saturdays and play 2 on Sundays. I probably would lean towards no more than 5 innings a day in 8u, maybe 6 on Sunday.

I coached the 8u All-Star team when my DD was 7 and felt my duty was to a) Develop pitchers for next year's 10u rec season so girls have pitchers to hit off of and b) Prepare them for success in High School. 11 of the 48 High Schools that made CCS play-offs have girls I've coached and/or my DD played with, so I think I contributed some to that. 3 of those teams are playing for a section championship tomorrow.

My first 8u tournament I won, but almost had a parent revolt on my hands when I followed the 2-inning rule in a tournament without that rule. Girls' bats bailed me out. We came in 2nd in the silver division of another tournament that summer and I almost didn't pick up the trophy but did. No idea where the trophy wound up.

Daughter is still annoyed at me for only pitching me 1 inning in a friendly as a first year 8u because I was trying to develop 4 or 5 other pitchers for 10u the next year, even though in second year 8u she had several sub 2:30 innings. I posted a video of that and @sluggers told me to calm down and let her have fun until she went through puberty.

https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/3bdf-1818968/8u_Tournament_Rules_Coach_Pitch_2023.pdf

Yes
Two inning per game rule-one more in championship game if it goes more than four innings
It is 8Urec travel ball so if four balls are thrown, the coach inherits the count and pitches to their own girls
I too focus on player development at this age and use ONLY positive reinforcement
I tell my girls from the very beginning that nobody will be “mad” if they drop a ball, strike out, etc as long as they’re trying their best. I tell them if they show up with a yucky attitude, drag their feet, and don’t even try, then yes, the coaches will be upset (that has yet to happen)


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[chinamigarden]

Please forgive the snark - but are you in California?

There aren’t many 8U kid-pitch tournaments on the East Coast - ok - maybe in FL?

I’d go off the number of pitches. Your better pitcher can probably throw each game, IF by better you mean more accurate, with the assumption being that accuracy = throwing less pitches per inning.

I kind of like the inning limit from a competitive standpoint. If nothing else, as it looks like your doing, it forces coaches to actually develop their pitchers, and not ride noodle-arm Nancy until her arm falls off.

I’ll also assume you’re playing at least 4 innings per game? You’ll likely need to throw all 4 each day anyway, or at least on Saturday.

It’s 8U - while it should be ALL about development - I don’t think anyone’s going to accuse you of trophy hunting if come Sunday / bracket play, you only use the top 3, instead of all 4.

I’d even make all the girls do basic pitching drills during practice - you never know who might have a hidden talent, or catch the pitching bug next.


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It’s a 6U team that is playing up.

 

[Dabears17]

It’s a 6U team that is playing up.

Actually, back in 2018 when my DD’s team went down to SoCal for a B AllStar tournament I watched parts of two 6u AllStar games. They were pretty good and could probably beat most 8u teams in my area.