Comments on: The switch-pitcher causes a ruckus

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:09:33 +0000

Web,
From what I have read in the NCAA rule book, there is no rule saying that you cannot switch during an at-bat. In being around the college game I have not seen this done either.

By: Luds

Luds — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:34:54 +0000

I remember Greg Harris doing this for the Expos. He retired a righty, then switched to lefty and walked the next guy and retired another lefty, and finished the inning as a righty. Fun stuff and hats off to Felipe Alou for letting Harris try this out in the Majors.

By: Web

Web — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:14:25 +0000

Patrick,

Do you know if there are specific rules for switch hitters? Can’t they switch during a plate appearance as many times as they want?

It almost seems dumb that there would be a specific rule for a swith pitcher but not for a switch hitter. I think you should be able to throw however you want. They have to “declare” what arm they will be throwing with? That just seems dumb.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:56:49 +0000

Venditte isn’t the first switch-pitcher.

Greg Harris came before him pitching for the Montreal Expos in 1995.

By: bphill

bphill — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:27:47 +0000

He had a nasty curve there for the strikeout…call him up fun stuff.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:20:40 +0000

Here is the rule on switch pitchers from the 2008 NCAA Baseball rule book

Pitching Violations
Section 2
k. Pitch both right-handed and left-handed to the same batter during a plate appearance (ambidextrous-pitcher rule).
PENALTY–If a pitcher changes hands during a batter’s time at bat, the umpire shall:
1. Call a balk if a runner(s) is on base;
2. Call a ball for an illegal pitch if no runner(s) is on base;
3. Warn the pitcher; or
4. Eject the pitcher if the offense is repeate.
A.R. 1–When facing a switch hitter, an ambidextrous pitcher shall declare the hand which to pitch to the hitter .
A.R. 2–If a pinch hitter replace a batter during a turn at bat, the pitcher may change pitching hands.
(A.R. =Approved ruling)

By: bdog375

bdog375 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:18:06 +0000

“Now there is a reliever even Joe Torre couldnâ€™t abuse”

I love it!!!

By: letter10

letter10 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:28:04 +0000

I love this! I truly hope this guy makes it to the show…I am beyond curious as to how situations would play out with him on the mound.

Anyone know what the sign to the bullpen is with this guy? Does the manager just wave both arms?

By: Got mofongo?

Got mofongo? — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:01 +0000

You know double posting regardless but
maybe venditte will pass along the business card of the custom glove maker to the 6 fingered guy we just picked off of waivers. Itâ€™s intra corporate synergyâ€¦.

By: playballnyy

playballnyy — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:19 +0000

Here it is…. there’s also a full clip of the incident from the SNY broadcast on the http://www.redlasso.com website…it went on for almost ten minutes.

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPl.....d6d2bb0586