Chicanery, Subterfuge, and an Ambidexterous Pitcher

[buffalofan19]

This might be the most bizarre thing I've ever seen in sports.

[calr]

What a baby that pitcher is. If you're gonna switch hands, the batter has the right to switch between right and left. Deal with it.

[buffalofan19]

By the same token, a pitcher can switch as many times as he wants. There's nothing in the rules that says either of them have to concede to the other. I thought it was funny. I was pissed at the batter more than the pitcher.

[Toughsy]

That's nuts.

[The Common Man]

can batters switch in the middle of an at bat?

[LALALALALALAFONTAINE]

I believe so (if a different handed pitcher comes in halfway thru an at bat, I think the batter can change).

But the batter has to stay in the batter's box before the pitcher pitches. I don't think he can get ready to swing righty, have the pitcher switch to righty and then jump across the plate to hit southpaw. He can ask for time though, and then just enter the box swinging as a lefty.

[buffalofan19]

This is just a blog, but it's interesting nonetheless.

As promised, I went to speak tothe umpires today about Pat Venditte. Crew chief Charlie Relifordinvited me into their locker room. Get this: There is no major-leaguerule regarding a pitcher like Venditte.

“The only rule is what when a pitcher is on the rubber, a battercannot change boxes,” Reliford said. “But there is no penalty forswitching, you just tell him he can’t do it.”

So basically, Venditte was right in complaining. According to the rules, once the pitcher is on the rubber, the batter can not switch hands. There is no rule saying the pitcher can't (probably because nobody thought of this before).

http://people.boston.com/forums/spor.../?item=2224579

[slowpokemcgee]

I believe so (if a different handed pitcher comes in halfway thru an at bat, I think the batter can change).

But the batter has to stay in the batter's box before the pitcher pitches. I don't think he can get ready to swing righty, have the pitcher switch to righty and then jump across the plate to hit southpaw. He can ask for time though, and then just enter the box swinging as a lefty.

Idk though. At the same time, if the pitcher switches from righty to lefty, he has to step off the mound to do so. Which would allow the batter to change sides freely.

[buffalofan19]

Idk though. At the same time, if the pitcher switches from righty to lefty, he has to step off the mound to do so. Which would allow the batter to change sides freely.

Not necessarily. If he stands on the mound in the windup, with both feet on the rubber, he can switch hands without stepping off.

[slowpokemcgee]

yes, but he was in the stretch. A runner was on first.

[buffalofan19]

yes, but he was in the stretch. A runner was on first.

Even so, the batter technically has to step into the box before the pitcher steps on the rubber. Once he steps into the box, the pitcher can adjust accordingly. It's so crazy because this is once in a lifetime thing.

[LALALALALALAFONTAINE]

Not necessarily. If he stands on the mound in the windup, with both feet on the rubber, he can switch hands without stepping off.

And if I'm a batter, I complain that the pitcher committed a balk, because his delivery would be different. It's an interesting situation. I'm surprised it hasn't happened before. Other players have thrown ambidextrous.