Comments on: The switch-pitcher rule change

By: Hank

Hank — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:11:31 +0000

By: Andy In Sunny Daytona Beach

Andy In Sunny Daytona Beach — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:19:50 +0000

What would happen if Venditte faced Gardner? I think that the Earth would explode. Good thing that they both play for the Yankees.

By: 86w183

86w183 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:13:31 +0000

Can you agree someone has to declare his intentions first?

In all other settings the pitcher chooses first by virture of wearing his glove on the mound. An ambidextrous pitcher has to declare first by virtue of the foot he puts on the rubber when pitching from the stretch. Why would an “ambi” pitcher from the windup be treated any differently?

I still think the pitcher has an edge because he gets to force the hitter to either swing from his weaker side or accept a right/right or left/left match up.

By: nyyfaninlaaland

nyyfaninlaaland — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:02:56 +0000

Isn’t the advantage the pitcher gains against the non-switch hitter the whole point? It’s not like the guy is born with this skill – it was acquired through personal effort, just like a switch hitter.

Since it’s a skill that is extraordinarily rare, but learned, I don’t think it’s fair that the pitcher has to choose first. It’s not like we’re going to see a slew of switch pitchers turn up. And what if the switch hitter is relatively equally adept – in other words, very good at his learned skill? The pitcher then has to forego the advantage of his efforts? Batter should have to choose first in my mind.

By: RPimpsner

RPimpsner — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:42:01 +0000

It is a little stupid to change the rule that they were using in the middle of the season. The oringinal rule that was being used was a rule from the umpires that was on the books since the 1920s, (the team did hours of research to try and find it.)

I am working on a way to keep track of how he throws from either side, right now he has thrown only lefty v lefty and righty v righty, so it is easy. When I do get it up and running it will be on his player page on my website (http://www.baby-bombers.com)

I am also going to sit down with him tonight before the game for an interview, so if there is anything you want to know e-mail me at rpimpsner@baby-bombers.com

By: 86w183

86w183 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:41:17 +0000

It has always been thus in baseball. At lower levels the first communication between the teams is whether they are starting a righty or a lefty. THEN the competing coaches/managers make up their lineup.

Even for a switch pitcher he has to “declare” before the pitch regardless of the rule because the glove is oging to be on one hand or the other. If he is pitching from the stretch he must “declare” his intention when he steps on the rubber before he can throw. Why are you guys struggling with this?

By: deadrody

deadrody — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:25:49 +0000

Also, look at it this way – a switch-hitter always has the advantage against the pitcher. He can switch to the opposite side and get a better matchup. So, along comes a switch-pitcher that could negate that advantage and MLB makes a rule that gives the advantage that switch-hitters already had in 99% of at-bats to them in 100% of at-bats.

Sure, that makes sense.

By: deadrody

deadrody — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:23:09 +0000

MAYBE there is a LITTLE advantage to the hitter ? Seriously ?

Whoever gets to choose second has a CLEAR advantage. I’d be curious what the rationale was behind the clear decision to basically take away a switch-pitcher’s advantage. Did they flip a coin ?

By: 27 this year

27 this year — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:52:14 +0000

Yea, but Mike the same logic for your line

“If you can throw major league level from both sides of the mound, you should be able to take advantage of that.”

goes for the hitter. The batter should be able to take advantage of being able to hit from both sides so they should be allowed to switch.

I agree with 86w183, the batter knows which arm a normal pitcher is going to throw with and makes the decision based on that. Therefore, the batter should know first and commit second

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:23:41 +0000

Rule seems to make sense, except for the “one change per at bat” part. I think the pitcher should be allowed to change as often as he likes, except once he takes the rubber he has to throw from that side for that pitch. The switch hitter can change each time too. But none of the “if you move over there, i’m moving over here” back and forth without throwing a pitch. If you can throw major league level from both sides of the mound, you should be able to take advantage of that.