Switch Pitching 101

Why would anyone want to become a switch pitcher? What are the advantages of switch pitching? Doesn't it take twice as much work to throw with both arms? Can a switch pitcher throw twice as many innings in a game? As a coach of a switch pitcher, I get these questions all the time. Here are some benefits of switch pitching: • Gives the pitcher an advantage •  Safely pitch more innings •  Get more playing time •  Improve balance, coordination and fitness •  Rest the dominant arm  •  Save on calls to the bullpen •  Be your own relief pitcher •  Win more games •  It's fun •  Extend your baseball career • Get recruited to play in college •  Get drafted * ....................................... ....................................... *Recent MLB draft picks, who are ambidextrous: - Andrew Pullin (Phillies) - Drew Vettleson (Rays; Nationals) - Pat Venditte (Yankees; Athletics) .................................

What are the rules on a pitchers glove? According to the official baseball rules, a pitchers glove can be up to 12 inches in size , of any weight , and any color except white or gray as long as it is not distracting.  The Akadema ABX-00 glove, pictured above, is 12 inches,  solid black and is not distracting according to local umpires. Little League Rules Gray glove is not allowed for pitching  White glove is not allowed for pitching Little League Rule 1.14: Each fielder, other than the first baseman and the catcher may wear a glove not more than 12 inches long nor more than 7 3/4 inches wide, measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the glove. The glove may be of any weight. Little League Rule  1.15 (a) : The pitcher's glove may not, exclusive of the piping, be white or light gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner. (source: Little League Baseball Rules Regarding Bats and Gloves ...

Pat Venditte shows off his Mizuno Ambidextrous Glove Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte's ability to pitch right- or left-handed prompted a change in the MLB rule book. At the heart of the new guidelines, for switch pitchers,  is the following provision: 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 guidelines also permit both the batter and pitcher to change positions (from right-handed to left-handed or vice versa) once per at-bat. The Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation (PBUC) released its official rules for dealing with ambidextrous pitchers in July 2008. These guidelines were reached after PBUC staff consulted with a variety of sources, including the Major League Baseball Rules Committee...

Akadema Pro Soft Ambidextrous Glove: Model ABX00 (update: about 100 Akadema ambidextrous gloves are made each year) See the Akadema Ambidextrous Baseball Glove in action. HS switch pitcher Henry Knight has been using the Akadema ambi glove for 3 years. Akadema Six-fingered Glove - Used by a College Switch Pitcher The Akadema ambidextrous glove is used by college switch pitcher Ryan Perez, who throws over 90 mph with each arm. Watch the CBS feature on Perez  >> How to Order Order the Akadema Ambidextrous Glove from Amazon.com  ($100 & free shipping) This is the only ready-to-order ambidextrous baseball glove on the market. Note that the glove fits an adult and is too big for most players under 13 years old. .

Amanda Donaldson (Severna Park HS) Ambidextrous Softball Pitcher  | Double trouble for batters April 14, 1996 | By Bill Free  | baltimoresun.com Amanda Donaldson is already a windmilling 14-year-old whiz as a right-handed softball pitcher for Severna Park High. She has struck out 25, walked four and has a 2-1 record in four games for the fifth-ranked Falcons. Her fastball has been clocked in the high 50s (miles per hour). But the big story is she can also pitch left-handed and has done it several times in summer league games. Once she has time to build up her speed from the left side (currently about 40 mph), Donaldson will certainly command attention from major college recruiters. Read more ................................... Mackenzie Huber (Wildwood HS) WHS junior softball player becomes ambidextrous out of necessity May 30, 2013  |  By Brian Cunniff  | Shore News Today When a doctor told Mackenzie Huber she’d be...

Venditte signs with the Athletics! Pat Venditte pitcher for Italia ( Photo  by MG-Oldmanagency / FIBS) Pat Venditte, Jr. - A professional  Switch PItcher formerly with the New York Yankees organization - has signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics (Nov 19, 2014) Read more 2015 News >> 2015 Nashville Sounds , Nashville, TN Class AAA,  Affiliation:  Oakland Athletics 2014 WB RailRiders , Scranton, PA Class AAA,  Affiliation:  New York Yankees-AL 2014 Trenton Thunder , Trenton, NJ Class AA,  Affiliation:   New York Yankees -AL 2014 Offseason Liga Mexicana del Pacifico 2013 Trenton Thunder , Trenton, NJ Class AA,  Affiliation:   New York Yankees -AL 2012 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Class AAA,  Affiliation:   New York Yankees -AL Pat Venditte  ( PatVenditte ) on Twitter https://twitter.com/ PatVenditte 2014 Stats - Trenton Th...