Brandon Berdoll
Born: Oct 14,1982Hometown: Cedar Creek, Texas
Height: 6-3 Weight: 195
Positions: LHP / RHP / SS
Bats: Left
High School: Westlake High School in Austin, Texas (Chaps)
College: Temple College (Leopards); Texas A&M University
MLB Draft: Selected by Atlanta Braves in 27th Round (817th overall) of 2003 amateur entry draft
Glove: used a custom made six-finger glove with two thumbs ($325)
Dominant hand: Left
Brandon Berdoll - a natural lefty - learned how to throw with both arms, at age 10, after his coach would not allow him to play shortstop.
At Temple Junior College, he threw 89 miles per hour with his left arm, and 85 miles per hour with his right arm. He threw a sharp curveball with both. The Atlanta Braves picked Berdoll, a 6-3, 195-pounder from Austin Westlake, as a left-handed pitcher, though he has pitched with both arms and was a part-time designated hitter for the Leopards (tdtnews.com).
Custom six-fingered glove
"Berdoll's $325 custom-made, faded blue baseball glove has a thumb on both sides, allowing him to switch hands with equal comfort."
Why he started pitching with both arms
Berdoll was a slick-fielding shortstop when he was 8-years-old. Always one of the best athletes on his youth teams, he joined a summer "select" squad when he turned 10.
On the first day of practice, he settled into his regular position for fielding workouts. When the coach saw Berdoll throw the ball to first base with his left hand, he abruptly stopped practice.
"You can't play shortstop left-handed," the coach said.
"Yes I can!" Berdoll said.
"No you can't!"
"Yes I can!"
On the drive home, Brandon - still upset about the position switch - told his father that he wanted to prove the coaches wrong.
For six months, Brandon practiced throwing tennis balls against the garage door, usually after midnight.
Annoyed but supportive, Hal and Lisa Berdoll listened to the constant thumps their son created in the driveway.
Persistence paid off. Within two years, Brandon played shortstop again.
Right-handed.
Once he gets the idea for doing something, he doesn't quit," Lisa said.
(source: Rome News-Tribune, June 28, 2003)
Life after Baseball
Students tap Brandon Berdoll as top summer 2007 construction student
Brandon Berdoll was elected the Associated General Contractors Gene Murphree Construction Science Outstanding Undergraduate in the August 2007 graduation class. College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
Berdoll Pecan Candy and Gift Company - Cedar Creek, TX
My twin brother Brandon has found his love, building. He has started making custom furniture and milling logs particularly out of pecan wood, while his wife Brandi manages the retail store ..
Articles
2 Pitchers in 1 By Rick Cantu, Cox News Service
Pitcher Brandon Berdoll, a 27th-round draft pick by the Braves, can throw the ball with either arm.
Switch pitcher well on his way to MLB annals By RICK BRAGG
Austin American-Statesman
2 Pitchers in 1 By Rick Cantu, Cox News Service
Pitcher Brandon Berdoll, a 27th-round draft pick by the Braves, can throw the ball with either arm.
Switch pitcher well on his way to MLB annals By RICK BRAGG
Austin American-Statesman
Combo induces double vision By Dwight Perry
The Seattle Times
Switch-pitcher's hope: Major-league job
June 29, 2003|By Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman.
Switch-pitcher's hope: Major-league job
June 29, 2003|By Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman.
Houston Chronicle, June 29, 2003
Brandon Berdoll Stats - The Baseball Cube
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