Switch Pitching 101

Congratulations to switch pitcher Andrew Pullin, from Centralia High School, who was picked by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft.  (signed for $203,900) Andrew Pullin played for the NW Timberjacks. See his bio, pitching and hitting videos . Andrew Pullin (Threshers) Centralia’s Andrew Pullin drafted by Phillies - The Olympian  June 05, 2012 The Phillies drafted Centralia High School outfielder Andrew Pullin with the final pick of the fifth round – 188th overall – on Tuesday. He was the second South Sound player selected by Philadelphia in the first two days of big league baseball’s draft of amateur free agent players, which concludes today. Drafted players have until July 13 to decide whether to sign, but Pullin made his decision quickly. He took the Phillies’ offer and will forgo a college career at the University of Oregon. He likely will be assigned to the Gulf Coast League Phillies, the organization’s rookie league affiliate. Pulli...

Learn how to throw a safe and effective Long Toss routine, as demonstrated by Major League pitchers Tim Collins and Steve Cishek, with coaching by performance coach Eric Cressey. Build up long toss to  180-240 ft Tim Collins throws long toss over 300 ft (the length of football field), while Steve Cishek is a side-arm pitcher who likes throwing up to 120 ft. Long Toss Guidelines - Build up long toss in first 4-5 weeks of the off-season, throwing from flat surface - Focus on getting on top of and releasing the ball at the proper point - Perform compression throws every 40-50 feet to transition from longest distances - Use long toss distance that's most comfortable for you.

Over the years, there have been a few kids who learned to pitch with both arms. Most of the ambidextrous pitchers started throwing with both hands before they played Little League baseball. Here are some interesting stories and videos of kids who switch pitched in games. Aiden McNasby is an 8 year old switch pitcher. (2011) Switch Pitcher  at age 14 (indoor bullpen session) Switch Pitcher and Hitter  at age 11 (game video) Nick Bohannan has been throwing with both arms since he was two-years-old. As an 8th grader he was throwing 65 mph  right- and left-handed . Bohannan uses a custom Mizuno glove with six fingers for switch pitching. 13-year-old Ambidextrous Pitcher (FOX2, 2011 video) Nick "Bo" Bohannan - O'Fallon, Missouri Nick Bohannan Switch Pitcher, age 11  (2009 video) 9-Year-Old Gives Team Two Pitchers For The Price Of One (ksdk.com) Jesse Harris switch pitching in a game. (2008) Jesse Harris - demonstrating a c...

RYAN PEREZ      BHP     Ryan Perez - Hyannis Harbor Hawks BHP = Both Hand Pitcher (ambidextrous) Born:   October 27, 1993 City:  Hampshire,   Illinois High School:  Westminster Christian ,  2012 College:   Judson University Cape Cod League, 2014 Height/Weight:  6' 0", 180 lbs. Bats:  Switch hitter Throws:  Both, ambidextrous Glove:  Akadema 6-finger ambidextrous glove Velocity: up to 94 MPH  as LHP in college In 2015, Perez threw 91 mph with both arms in a college game. In high school Perez threw his fastball in the upper 80's with both arms for strikes.  He touched 90 mph pitching in high school! Pitches | mph: FB 89; CH 80; CB 86; SL 78 (source: Perfect Game  2011) Ryan Perez Stats - Westminster Christian Baseball    Sr. year (2012)    Jr. year (2011) Judson Eagles Baseball .............................................

Tyler Hopman Tyler Hopman - Kean University Hometown: Matawan, NJ Old Bridge High School, New Jersey Class: 2015 Team: Old Bridge Knights College:  Kean University, NJ - football and baseball Positions: LHP, CF - right-handed Height/Weight: 6'5" 190 lbs Bats: Right Throws: Both (Ambidextrous) Velocity:  82 mph ( 7/4/2014 perfectgame.org) Sports:   WR Football 2015 HS stats 5-3, 59 IP, 2.02 ERA About Tyler Hopman Tyler Hopman is a switch pitcher who plays for  Old Bridge High School  Knights in New Jersey. In an interview, he said that he feels a lot stronger throwing lefty. When not pitching, Hopman plays center field right-handed. He bats exclusively from the left side. As a kid, he started throwing with both hands when he was 5-years-old. His dad suggested that he should throw 20 righty and 20 lefty each day.  Hopman pitched right- and left-handed in Little League.  Video interview wi...

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." R...

Depending on where you live, it can be very challenging to find a good pitching coach. Here are a few suggestions for finding a pitching coach in your area. Good luck. Colleges: One option is to contact a local college baseball coach and ask if they can recommend a pitching coach in your area. Some college coaches hold pitching camps or small group lessons. Ask a local college pitcher who they trained with when they were in high school. They often can provide suggestions on who to contact for pitching instruction. In the Seattle area, the University of Washington , Seattle U , and Bellevue College offer excellent baseball camps and clinics. The cost ranges from $40 for a two-hour clinic  -- up to $300 for a six-week class. Figure around $20 to $50/hour for instruction, depending on player/coach ratio. Baseball Training Facilities: Most indoor baseball facilities offer pitching lessons. Instructors usually played in college or in the minor leagues. Greater Seattle: che...