Switch Pitching 101

Most people think the best switch hitter was Mickey Mantle, but ... Found on Newspapers.com One of the Best Switch Hitters in High School  is an ambidextrous pitcher >> .

Are switch pitchers also switch hitters? Yes, several switch pitchers have the ability to switch hit.  But, many switch pitchers bat left-handed only.  A few ambidextrous pitchers continued to switch hit in high school, while others decided to focus on hitting only right- or left-handed. Many switch pitchers, like Drew Vettleson, are solid left-handed hitters. Some switch pitchers become "pitchers only" in high school – especially on summer teams. List of ambidextrous pitchers who can switch hit Marcus Garcia ,  Roseville HS 2013,  Roseville, California Garcia is a 6'2" switch pitcher who plays for Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. Daulton Hopkins ,  Desert Christian  HS 2014, Tucson, Arizona A natural lefty who can pitch with both arms - plus he's a switch hitter. Henry Knight , Franklin HS 2015, Seattle, Washington Starting shortstop and ambidextrous pitcher on varsity since his freshman year. Commands four pitches from both side...

4 minute video |   8 minute video June 19, 2008 Staten Island Yankees @ Brooklyn Cyclones bottom of the 9th reliever Pat Venditte closes out the ball game. Pat Venditte - ambidextrous pitcher with the Yankees minor league organization, faces a switch hitter - creating a lot of confusion for the umpires regarding the rules. "This very situation might create a change in the rulebook." - states one of the commentators. He was right – the situation did lead to a new rule for ambidextrous pitchers: Read about the Pat Venditte Rule Minor League  Switch - Pitcher  Sets Off Confusion - NYTimes.com .

BHP = Both-Handed Pitcher 2014 Columbia City Reds   16U    (16-8) The Columbia City Reds began their 4th season of baseball in 2014.  The Reds  16U  was a top-ranked team in the Mickey Mantle division of the Puget Sound Baseball League .  The 16U Reds tied for 3rd place in the 2014 state tournament. In the fall of 2013, the Reds team began training at The K Center in Columbia City under coaches Young Cho and Travis Gass.  Ron Queen , who has 30+ years of coaching experience, works with the pitchers and hitters in the off-season. All the pitchers learn how to locate the fastball, change-up, curveball and splitter – for strikes. The inner city team includes scholar-athletes from north, central and south Seattle. The roster has some of the best high school players from Ballard, Bush,  Franklin,  Garfield, O'Dea, Roosevelt, Seattle Academy and University Prep. The core group of players were on the Senators All-stars team o...

Henry "H" Knight is having fun as a switch pitcher for Franklin High School Henry Knight pitching for the Quakers 2014 baseball season  I n 2014, ambidextrous baseball player Henry Knight  was a starting infielder and a relief pitcher for the Columbia City Reds 16U team – in the Mickey Mantle league. He led the team in hitting and on-base-percentage, using a wood bat. The Reds placed 3rd in the state tournament. Knight also plays summer ball with the BBB 18U team of the American Legion League in the Seattle area. As an infielder and leadoff hitter, he helped the BBB team win their first tournament over the NW Timberjacks. As a junior, Knight switch pitched in several games for Franklin HS - with no earned runs - chalking up a 0.00 ERA with a 12:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio . If the offseason, Knight trains at Driveline Baseball  in Puyallup and  the K Center  in Seattle. 2013 baseball season  I n 2013, Henry Knight  was the starti...

Shinnosuke Yagi Shinnosuke Yagi Japan Merced College, Merced, CA (Freshman) Position: Pitcher / OF Height: 6'0", 190 lb Bats: Both Throws: Both (ambidextrous) Dominant arm: Left Shinnosuke Yagi is an ambidextrous pitcher and switch hitter, from Japan, who attends Merced College in California. Yagi recently signed to play for the Atwater Aviators in the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League . Aviators Sign Ambidextrous Pitcher from Japan March 13, 2013 Aviators Sign Shinnosuke Yagi - Japan for 2013 Summer Season The Aviators announce the signing of pitcher Shinnosuke Yagi, He currently attends Merced College and is from Japan. A unique talent Shinnosuke can throw left handed and right handed, which will be a pleasure to watch him perform on the mound. In addition to throwing he is also a switch hitter. His presence will add another left/right handed arm out of the bullpen for the Aviators this summer. Source: Atwater Aviators Merced College ...

Rafe Milo Nickname:  the Hydra , or in Japanese "Orochi." Hometown: Tokyo, Japan Positions:  Pitcher, CF, 1B Bats: Both Throws: Both (ambidextrous) Team: Honshu Rounders Baseball Club , Japan Milo is captain of the Oak Squad. Rafe Milo is a young switch hitter and ambidextrous pitcher who plays Little League baseball in Tokyo, Japan. His father, Mitchell Milo , is the Head Coach of the Honshu Rounders Baseball Club, and writes a blog about "Coaching a Switch Pitcher." Rafe Milo pitching right-handed in Japan As a 13-year-old switch pitcher, Milo throws a 4-seam, 2 seam, & 3- finger fastball; 3-finger change up; palm-ball and knuckleball. That's a large array of pitches to keep hitters off-balance.  In games, he pitches with one arm – which is a good strategy for a young pitcher. During practice - which can last up to 5 hours - he alternates days throwing right- and left-handed. How Rafe Milo got started throwing with both arms ...