Switch Pitching 101

Rule 8.01(f) – Baseball – Ambidextrous Pitchers The following rule has been added governing ambidextrous pitchers: 8.01(f) A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he/she intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his/her glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he/she has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he/she has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief. Previously, there was no re...

What happens when an ambidextrous pitcher faces off against a switch-hitting batter? The new rules regarding ambidextrous pitchers are as follows: • The pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitching to the batter. Engaging the rubber with the glove on a particular hand is considered a definitive commitment to which arm he will throw with. The batter will then choose which side of the plate he will bat from. • The pitcher must throw one pitch to the batter before any "switch" by either player is allowed. • After one pitch is thrown, the pitcher and batter may each change positions one time per at-bat. For example, if the pitcher changes from right-handed to left-handed and the batter then changes batter's boxes, each player must remain that way for the duration of that at-bat (unless the offensive team substitutes a pinch hitter, and then each player may again "switch" one time). • Any switch (by e...

How many warmup pitches are allowed by a pitcher between innings?     Eight warmup pitches are allowed, in one minute  A league may limit the number of preparatory pitches to less than eight. Some leagues allow only four or five preparatory pitches between innings, to move the game along. From the MLB Official Rules 8.03 When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning, or when he relieves another pitcher, he shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during which play shall be suspended. A league by its own action may limit the number of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatory pitches. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire-in-chief shall allow him as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary. 8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher...

Please respect the umpires. After all they are human. Here are some ideas to help the umpires do a great job: Coaches meeting with the Umpire Let the umpire know before the game that you have a switch pitcher who is planning to use both arms during the game. Check to make sure the umpires know the rules regarding switch pitching.  Going Over Ground Rules with the Umpire - video Game Balls Provide the plate umpire with new games balls before the start of the game. Have some kids retrieving foul balls. Trade candy for returned game balls - it works. Keeping Score Have your official score keeper communicate with the umpire before and during the game as needed to keep things straight. It's nice to have two reliable score keepers available in the stands, so one can take a break if needed. Tracking the pitch count  Note that the pitch count is still the same for every player - switch pitchers don't get to throw twice as many pitches as a regular pitcher.  ...