Tom Wheat - Freak Pitcher from Indiana 1939

Local 210 Eyes chance to Slug Freak Pitcher

The Times (Hammond, Indiana) 4 Aug 1939

Tom Wheat, slender 22-year-old pitcher for the Albany Doodlesockers, will be the feature attraction of the season Sunday afternoon at Turner field when he starts on the mound against Local 210 A. C., currently possessed of eight victories in nine starts.

Wheat isn't the greatest pitcher in semi-pro baseball. Far from it. But he's the only ambidextrous thrower now doing business in Indiana and, possibly, in the entire country.

Tom pitches either right or left-handed and with comparable effectiveness when using either arm.

Although Wheat specializes in right-handed deliveries, he usually finishes up throwing form the port side. This year, for instance, he pitched against the Connersville Independents and held the latter to one hit while fanning 11 and granting only two walks. Tom worked the first seven innings with right arm but switched to his other arm for the last two frames.

Wheat will need to be plenty effective against Local 210. The Oilers are now hitting like demons and are not inclined to ease up – even by way of accommodating Indiana's only ambidextrous pitcher.

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