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Switch pitcher creates challenge for coaches


Switch-pitcher creates unusual strategy


The Times Online Tuesday, April 10, 2012
By MIKE FEIFEL mfeifel@tnonline.com
Something strange happened at the ballpark last Friday night as the IronPigs hosted the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
Normally, managers have to deal with the righty/lefty match-ups as the game progresses. The chess game of matching up a left-handed pitcher versus a left-handed hitter is something that is quite normal. A switch-hitting batter ads a new dynamic to the equation.
To make it more confusing, Lehigh Valley manager Ryne Sandberg was introduced to something unusual and rare – a switch pitcher. The IronPigs faced Pat Venditte who can pitch effectively with both arms and has a specially-made six-fingered glove fashioned to switch arms on the mound.
"It's impressive and very unique," Sandberg said of Venditte and his career 2.40 ERA in the minors. "If the guys got quality from both sides it may work to his advantage."


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