Most teams have three main starters and then the bullpen. Some have a designated closer and some do not. Teams will play up to three games per week so each starter will typically get one start per week. Early in the season our coach limits starters to approximately 50-70 pitches (depending on the pitcher) Later in the season he will let them finish a game or up to 100 pitches or so. (I have seen 110 a couple of times)
Once league play starts the number 1 & 2 get most of the innings and our number 3 gets the “Saturday starts” which are typically non league games. Everyone else gets the scraps. Most Varsity teams will play between 25-30 games in season plus playoffs. Lower level teams play 20-25 games.
Here are the pitchers/inning/pitches from a 22 game Frosh schedule from last year.
1- 66 - 1011
2- 32 – 612
3- 22 – 345
4- 16 - 245
5- 6 - 144
6- 4 - 84
As you can see our number one got the lion share of innings and pitched a reasonable 1,000 pitches for the season. There was not a clear number 2 so their starts varied.
Coach May has pointed out in the past that most freshmen have never practiced and thrown every day - so early in the season they may have sore/stiff arms. If your son is a Freshmen (or any age actually) get him throwing before practice starts. If he is a pitcher he should be long tossing 2-3 x’s per week right now and building up his arm strength.