Switch Pitching 101

Aubrey McCarty photo: Vandy Baseball Who is the  ambidextrous pitcher from Vanderbilt? Aubrey McCarty is the switch pitcher at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. McCarty is also a switch hitter and has the skills to play first base.  He grew up in Doerun, Georgia and started throwing both ways when he was 11-years-old.  Read more ..

Goal Lines by Mit Maloney The Bryan (Texas) Daily Eagle, 25 Mar 1947 Switch Pitcher Roy Gibbens - ace of the Texas Aggie pitching staff  Switch Pitcher as well as switch batter is Roy Gibbens, ace of the Aggie pitching staff this spring. His left handed hurling developed when in grade school at LaPryor he hurt his right arm elbow and doctors told him he was through. So he took to throwing with his left. But he kept working with his right arm and eventually the old snap came back and he starred in high school baseball to such a degree that baseball scouts signed him for professional ball at the tender age of 16. His professional career was brief, however, and after a few appearances in the Arizona-Texas league he was given his unconditional release He returned to high school, but was ineligible for sports, so kept in trim with sandlot ball, still throwing with both arms. Was came and he enlisted in the marines, where he served with distinction, and rose to ...

Alexander Trautner   San Ramon Valley High School  (Class of  2014) Danville, California College: Creighton University  Bluejays  (Class of 2018) Collegiate Summer Team:  Neptune Beach Pearl , Alameda, CA Positions:  LHP/RHP, First Base, Catcher Height/Weight:  6'3" 210 lbs Bats:  Right Throws:  Both, switch pitcher Velocity / Pitches : RHP = 87 mph FB, curveball, and change-up. LHP = 83 mph FB, curveball, and change-up. A 6'3" switch pitcher from Northern California, Alexander Trautner throws a fastball, curveball and change-up from either side. Right-handed he reaches 87 mph and left-handed he touches 83 mph.  Switch Pitcher Alex Trautner Chooses Creighton Alex Trautner is one of two ambidextrous pitchers currently in a D1 baseball program. Aubrey McCarty is the other switch pitcher, who plays for Vanderbilt University – the 2014 College World Series champions.  Switch Pitcher U T...

Charles Freine 1884-1971 (86 yo) A Pitching Freak NY Daily Tribune - March 20, 1910 High School:  San Jose High School (1904-1905) College: Santa Clara College (Class of 1910) Minor League  Teams:  San Jose Prune Pickers, Philadelphia Athletics, Watsonville Pippins, Scranton Miners, Los Angeles Angels, Victoria Bees, Boise Irrigators, Tacoma Tigers, Nampa, Hollister Alpines, San Jose Elks, San Leandro Tractors, San Jose Bears Postions:   P, 1B, 3B, OF Bats: Both Throws: Both - ambidextrous Charley Freine was a skilled ambidextrous baseball player in the early 1900's who could switch hit and throw well with both arms. He was called "A Pitching Freak" and "Marvelous Freak" in the news. Freine pitched and played first base for Santa Clara College where he graduated in 1910. For many years, he played in the minor leagues  – as a pitcher, infielder, and outfielder. News articles from the 1900s. The Redwood - Santa Clara Charley Fre...

Do ambidextrous pitchers get recruited to play in college? Yes , a few ambidextrous pitchers played in college up to the Division I level.  Two switch pitchers played for Harvard University in the Ivy League. Switch pitcher Pat Venditte initially was a walk-on at Creighton University, but was later offered a scholarship to play college ball. Alex Trautner is the latest college recruit as a switch pitcher for the Blue Jays. A few ambidextrous pitchers have been recruited to play for the top college teams in the country... Recent college recruits Alex Trautner , a switch pitcher from San Ramon Valley HS in Danville, CA will be pitching  for the Creighton University Bluejays in 2015.   Aubrey McCarty , a switch pitcher from Georgia is playing for Vanderbilt University under coach Tim Corbin. Vanderbilt plays in the SEC and won the College World Series in 2014. Ryan Perez , an ambidextrous player from Illinois, can throw 90 mph with both arms. Perez swit...

Austin Stuber  Austin Stuber (photo Katelyn Olvera) Hometown: Clearfield, Iowa Lenox High School, Lenox, Iowa Exercise Science major  (Class of 2015) Missouri Valley College (MVC) - Vikings Marshall, MO Formerly a pitcher at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa Positions:  Pitcher, SS, 3B Throws: Both (Ambidextrous) Velocity: RHP 88 mph; LHP 82 mph Glove: Akadema six-finger glove (see photo) How Austin Stuber got started throwing with both arms: Stuber began pitching in sixth grade as a right-hander, but taught himself to throw left-handed in seventh grade to set himself apart from other pitchers. He spent hours everyday throwing fungo balls, practice balls, at a propane tank behind his house; working on his velocity and movement. “I wasn’t coached a lot in high school. I learned to pitch mostly from my dad and from instructional DVDs.”   (source: Chase Burgess, mvcdelta.com) Iowa High School State Baseball Tourn...