Switch Pitching 101

In Sports, Left-Handers Exploit Edge Every Day by FRANK DEFORD | NPR August 11, 2010 For the 90 percent of us who do things the right way, it has probably escaped our attention that, for the past 34 years, Aug. 13 has been designated International Left-Handers Day. As a minority that has been historically put upon, you southpaws certainly deserve your own holiday this Friday. However, and not to be gauche about it — in sports, every day is left-handers' day. Trust me, if you are a young parent and you want to give your son every advantage — spending a fortune sending him to all the right schools, and teaching him all sorts of cultural skills — just save your money. Instead, tie his right arm behind his back as soon as he gets out of the crib and teach him to be a left-handed relief pitcher, and that kid of yours will still be making a good living pitching when you're in assisted living — him paying your way. A left-handed reliever can go on forever. Listen to the ...

High School Baseball - Pitching Rule 6-1-1 Ambidextrous pitcher Henry Knight, Seattle RULE 6 Pitching Section 1, ART. 1 ... If a pitcher is ambidextrous, the umpire shall require the pitcher to face a batter as either a left-handed pitcher or right-handed pitcher, but not both. Pitching Limitations:  Inning Limit per Week ART. 6 ... Each state association shall have a pitching restriction policy to afford pitchers a reasonable rest period between pitching appearances. Per FHSAA Rule 2002.01(5) Pitching Restrictions: A pitcher must not pitch more than 14 innings in a week (Monday-Saturday) and may never pitch more than 10 innings on two consecutive days. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 10 innings in any one day. Summary    - A pitcher may pitch a maximum of  10 innings in one day    - A pitcher must not pitch more than 14 innings in a week Pitching Restrictions Can an ambidextrous pitcher throw twice as...

Positive coaching can have a big influence on how a pitcher performs on the mound. Having positive thoughts starts with positive feedback from coaches during practice, and it caries over into games. Come on, strike this guy out! Negative coaches can make pitchers doubt their ability and can create negative thoughts. They yell loud and put the pressure on the pitchers to perform. A pitcher starts to tense up and thinks:  If I don't strike this guy out and win this game, then I will have to run poles. Relax, take your time, and put the ball in play. Positive coaches stay calm and give feedback that helps a pitcher relax. They call time to talk with the players and remind the pitcher that he has fielders ready to make the out. It's a team effort. Have fun playing the game. Youth attrition rates are 80 percent lower for children whose coaches practice positive coaching.   The Power of Positive Coaching by David Bornstein, The New York Times Imagine you’re coa...

Keith Edward Werman Keith Werman led the NCAA Division 1  in sacrifice bunts with 28 Nickname:  "The Ninja" Born: October 1, 1989 in Vienna, Virginia Hometown: Vienna, Virginia High School: Oakton High School, Oakton Cougars , Class of 2008 College: University of Viginia, Cavaliers, 2009-2012 MLB:  Seattle Mariners - undrafted free agent 2012 Minors:   2013 Clinton LumberKings    Class A >  2013 Midwest League  (Western) Height/Weight: 5'7"  150 lbs Bats: Left Throws: Both (ambidextrous) Positions: INF/C Werman was a switch pitcher and shortstop, as a teenager. Keith Werman  is a dynamic ambidextrous baseball player who played second base in the College World Series for the Virginia Cavaliers.  In 2009, he hit the  team-best .417 in NCAA tournament, including .600 (6-for-10) in the College World Series. When he was 13, he pitched a seven-inning complete game, throwin...

Class of 2013 Aubrey McCarty  (2013) - Coquitt County High School, Doerun, GA Aubrey McCarty is a switch hitter and both hand pitcher who can throw up to 89 mph right-handed (Perfect Game). Throws a fastball, curveball and changeup. At  6'3",  McCarty also plays the corner infield right-handed.  In early May, McCarty's pitching record was 9-1, with a 2.74 ERA. He had 47 strikeouts and 37 walks in 53.2 innings pitched ( Moultrie Observer ).  College Commitment:   Vanderbilt 2013 MLB Draft: SF Giants Aubrey McCarty BHP - Perfect Game Profile Aubrey McCarty - player bio and video ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Marcus Garcia  (2013) - Roseville High School, Roseville, CA As a junior, switch pitcher Marcus Garcia pitched in 11 games – racking up 28 strikeouts in 30.2 innings for the  Roseville Tigers . Read more about...

Lee Louis Mazzilli Born March 25, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York Batted: Switch  .259 BA Threw: Both MLB Teams: NY Mets, Texas Rangers, NY Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays Manager: Baltimore Orioles (2004-2005) Draft: The Mets selected his Lee Mazzilli out of Brooklyn’s Lincoln High School in 1973 in the first round, 14th overall. An excellent athlete, young Lee Mazzilli was the son of welterweight boxer Libero Mazzilli. Unlike most switch hitters, who naturally bat from one side of the plate and train themselves to feel comfortable on the other, Mazzilli was naturally  ambidextrous , and swung the bat both ways from an early age. (Wikipedia) Ambidextrous  Outfielder May Be Answer To Mets' Problems Times-Daily - June 6, 1973 The injury-troubled New York Mets have come up with a solution for their health problems. They have drafted an ambidextrous outfielder. He's Lee Mazzilli of Brooklyn and he was the 14th player chosen Tuesda...