Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 3/31/2006

Question
My son Dalton is Ambidextrous.  He's 8. The recent change in little league rules limiting pitching to the number of pitches instead of innings, begs the question, can he pitch 74 pitches with each arm, thus pitching while still resting the other arm?  I can't find any info.  League officials aren't sure.  The rule is new. If there has been a ruling, we haven't got the news. What can you tell me?  Thanks.

Answer
Kenneth,

I don't know that anyone has tried to rule on this, but if he was my son, I'd limit him to the 74 pitches.  In fact, if you can get away with it, he should pitch half with each arm.

Pitching is so hard on a person's arm, that any method of limiting the number of pitches in a game setting is good.  However, the more throwing he does on the side, the better; as long as he doesn't throw when tired.

Hope this helps!

Brian