Switch Pitching 101

David Ricker  Hometown:  Edneyville, North Carolina High School:  Hendersonville High School (Class of 2006) College:   UNC Asheville  (2009-2011),  University of Maine  (2007) Height:  6'3"  Weight: 235 Positions:  LHP/RHP, 1B (LHP in college) Bats: Switch hitter Throws:  Both, ambidextrous Velocity:  86 mph left-handed in 2005 Dominant Arm: Natural Lefty "I think he throws harder and his ball moves a little more when he's pitching left-handed. He throws a lot more off-speed pitches when he's a right-hander." -  Hendersonville  coach Mark Cook David Ricker was an ambidextrous pitcher at Hendersonville High School in North Carolina. Ricker earned All-State, All-Conference, and All-Area awards as a senior at Hendersonville for head coach Mark Cook...played for the East Cobb Astros AAU team which won the 16U National Championship... made it to the quarterfinals of the 2005 18 UWWBA wooden bat national championship. As a senior, David

Steve Butz High School:   Central Catholic High School (1989) Hometown: Lafayette, Indiana Positions: LHP/RHP Bats:   Throws: Both, ambidextrous Pitches:   fastball, curve ball and forkball with either arm Gloves: used two gloves for pitching Dominant arm Butz said:  "I personally like pitching left-handed better. I throw harder left-handed, but I have more control right-handed. I can place the ball a lot better." In high school, Butz played outfield and first base left-handed and all other infield positions right-handed. How many warmup pitches does a switch pitcher get? Butz's coach has had a running argument with umpires about how many warmup pitches he should get when he changes sides. The young either-hander now is looking for a glove he can turn inside out so he can switch sides at will. (The Milwaukee Journal - Jan 28, 1986) The Milwaukee Journal - Jan 28, 1986 According the the rulebook , a switch pitcher gets the same numb

Ask questions and share answers on the online forums.  Here are a few forums that focus on ambidextrous pitching: Ambidextrous Pitcher Forum - letstalkpitching.com    Ambidextrous pitching and gloves Ambidextrous Pitcher Forum  - umpire.org    Rules for ambidextrous pitchers Ambidextrous Pitcher Forum  - baseball-fever.com    Ambidextrous pitchers in the majors High School Baseball Web -  Message Board   Forums ... Answers to common questions about ambidextrous pitching: Does anyone know if an  ambidextrous pitcher  can pitch 85 pitches right handed and then pitch the rest of the game left handed?  A: No, a pitcher has a single pitch count, regardless of the arm used. What would happen if an ambidextrous pitcher faced a switch-hitting batter? Switch Hitter VS Switch  Pitcher  - YouTube (Rule 8.01) regarding ambidextrous pitchers stating that a "pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitc

Born: February 26, 1992 Hometown: Mayfield, N.Y . High School: Mayfield Central School, Class of 2010 Positions:  Ambidextrous Pitcher, Catcher Gloves: left-handed and right-handed gloves College:  University at Albany (D-I level) Positions:  C/INF/OF Height:   6-1   Weight:   190 Bats: Left  Throws: Right (in college) Albany, NY - FOX23 Local Sports -- Ambidextrous Pitcher D.J. Hoagboon In 2010, D.J. Hoagboon was the #1 and #2 pitcher for Mayfield High School. #1 from the right-side and #2 from the left. As a switch pitcher, his velocity is about the same from either side, but he has better control right-handed. The coaches say that he is a very good catcher and now plays outfield, first base, and catcher in college. Mayfield High School: Four-year letterwinner at Mayfield... Two-time team captain...Was named Under Armour Pre-Season All-American... Named WAC MVP... Batted .532 as a senior and compiled 142 hits, 37 doubles, 9 triples and 17 homeruns over

Pitching coach Fred Corral explains how to do pitching practice indoors using the sock drill. This drill is great for areas where the weather is cold or rainy -- like in the Pacific Northwest. Learn the sock drill  (YouTube) The sock drill was created during the 1999-2000 baseball season after one of Fred Corral's ace pitchers came back from break -- 3 weeks behind everyone else because he couldn't get his throwing in as a result of being snowed in . Now there is no excuse to not get your work in. All you need to get started is a baseball, a long sock, a watch or tape. --

Over the years, physicians have noticed an increase in the number of  elbow and shoulder injuries in youth baseball pitchers.  Arm injuries are often attributed to overuse - playing on multiple baseball teams, throwing too many pitches, or not allowing enough rest between starts. Poor throwing mechanics can lead to arm strain and increase the chance of injury. Also, players who are out of shape, recently came back from a long vacation or have not followed a warmup and throwing routine could also be at risk.  Young pitchers who throw year round and participate in baseball showcases have a higher rate of arm injuries that required surgery. It is very important for coaches and parents to help prevent arm injuries in baseball players.  The American Sports Medicine Institute developed recommendations to help prevent throwing arm injuries. Please share this information with players, parents and coaches. ASMI  recommendations for preventing injuries in youth baseball pitchers: 

Venditte: Pitcher or Pioneer? Staten Island's ambidextrous hurler could spark baseball revolution By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com There are two sides to every story. This saying holds extra meaning if the story in question involves ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte. Several weeks ago, Venditte enjoyed a brief moment in the national spotlight thanks to the comical nature of his professional debut.  Read the Story Pat Venditte as a switch pitcher for Creighton University. Young baseball players, inspired by Venditte, are turning to switch pitching... Switch Pitcher Aiden McNasby featured on KCRA 3 News report by Del Rodgers, May 24, 2011 Young pitcher slings it with both hands Aiden McNasby, 8, is a lefty -- and righty -- in Roseville West Little League by Kayla Nix / Roseville Press Tribune  5/25/11 Eight-year-old Aiden McNasby has quite a unique trait — he can pitch right-handed and left-handed. As a toddler, Aiden would pick up

Andrew L Pullin Born:   9/25/93  Hometown:  Centralia, Washington High School:   Centralia HS (Class of 2012) Summer Team:   NW Timberjacks College:   signed National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the University of Oregon  MLB: drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012  in the fifth round,  No. 188 pick, ( signed for $203,900) Minor League:   Gulf Coast League Phillies, rookie league affiliate Positions: OF, RHP, LHP Height/Weight:  6' 0" / 190 Bats: Left Throws: Right/Left  (right-hand dominant) Velocity:  91 mph RHP Gloves:  six-finger ambidextrous glove, right-handed OF glove Andrew Pullin,  from Centralia, Washington,  is a natural right-handed thrower who also has the ability to pitch left-handed. In high school, he  made a name for himself as a switch pitcher, just like Drew Vettleson who was drafted by the Rays.  At Centralia High School, Pullin was a starting outfielder and pitcher. In the summer, he played baseball for the NW Timber