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.1 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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.1 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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.2 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosLipscomb 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.3 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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.4 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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.5 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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.6 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosLipscomb 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.7 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosLipscomb 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.8 / 8CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photosCPA 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?
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.
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.