Switch Pitching 101

Mizuki Akatsuka Rare switch pitcher and switch hitter from Japan. Rikkyo University in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. (freshman in 2017) Age 19 Pitches: fastball, off-speed, and breaking ball Velocity: 140 kph or 87 mph right-handed; 135 kph or 84 mph left-handed Dominant arm: right Glove: 6-finger custom glove like Pat Venditte Goal: Mizuki Akatsuka wants to be the first ever switch-pitcher, and switch-hitter to play in Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan has a college player that can switch-pitch, and also switch-hit POSTED ON  FEBRUARY 24, 2017   BY  僕は 野球 好き (REN) Mizuki Akatsuka. Ambidextrous pitchers are very hard to come by these days, let alone stay committed with it for quite a long time… but doing both switch-pitching, and switch-hitting at the same time? Now that is pretty much out of this world.  But, nope, not anymore ! Because in Japan, we have Mizuki Akatsuka (19 years of age) that can do all of that. Akatsuka i...

Henry Knight switch hitting in the Mickey Mantle state tournament. (composite photo by Tim Knight) Switch hitters are rare in baseball, especially at the youth level,  since it takes extra work . Hitting is not easy. In fact, hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things to do in sports. Switch hitting takes coordination, balance,  and practice to develop the skill. Switch hitters need to take a lot of quality swings from both sides – facing right- and left-handers – to become good. What did Mickey do? "My dad taught me to switch-hit. He and my grandfather, who was left-handed, pitched to me everyday after school in the back yard. I batted lefty against my dad and righty against my granddad." – Mickey Mantle , Hall of Fame switch hitter Switch hitter vs Switch pitcher One issue for a switch pitcher is what to do when facing a switch hitter – do you throw right or left-handed?  Fortunately,  this situation rarely happens since switch hit...

Season Highlights Cubs win the 2016 World Series! Perhaps the top sports story in 2016 Pat Venditte switch pitcher for Toronto was traded to Seattle. Venditte landed up as a  bullpen pitcher  for my hometown Seattle Mariners . Carter Kieboom BHP - Marietta, GA 2016 MLB Draft:  #28 first round pick by the  Washington Nationals Angel Macias who threw a perfect game in the 1957 LLWS was a popular post about a young switch pitcher. In 2016, there was another ambidextrous pitcher in the LLWS, but sadly he really struggled with his command. In the offseason, weighted ball programs and increasing velocity is a big focus of readers. Enjoy the list. Top Ten Posts BHP Pat Venditte joins the Mariners bullpen Angel Macias pitched a perfect game in the 1957 Little League World Series How Henry Knight learned to throw with both hands Baseball Glove Options for Switch Pitchers Why are switch hitters rare? Learn to Throw a Cutter like Mariano R...

Forrest Weaver Ambidextrous Pitcher in college. Mainly throws left-handed. Forrest Weaver Hometown: Newalla, Oklahoma Height and Weight:  5’9″/ 150lbs Bats/Throws:  L/S Primary Position(s):  Relief pitcher / Closer 2014/2015:  Pitching Coach, Southwestern Christian University ( Profile ) 2014:  Southwestern Christian University (NAIA) 2011-2013:  Oklahoma Wesleyan University (NCCAA) Forrest Weaver Bio – Ambitious young head coach and ambidextrous pitcher At only the age of 23, Forrest  Weaver has a surprisingly lengthly coaching resume with  experience as a head coach  at the high school level and as a pitching coach at his former college Southwestern Christian University. He is a rare  ambidextrous pitcher  who throws in the  low 80’s from both the left and the right . From the left he throws a change-up and curveball to compliment his fastball while from the righ...

Proof that one can change throwing arms at age 10 Ambidextrous pitcher adapts in rotation Posted on  May 31, 2016  by  Logan Lowery Konnor Pilkington  has provided Mississippi State with a southpaw option in its starting pitching rotation all season. However, Pilkington has not always been left-handed. In fact, the freshman is ambidextrous and did not begin to primarily throw with his left hand until around the age of 10. “When I was little I would throw a baseball right-handed,” Pilkington said. “I’d always hit right-handed too but one day I wanted to try something different so I just started throwing left-handed and got more comfortable throwing that way. It’s the same thing with hitting. I just wanted to be left-handed I guess.” Read more Note: Konnor is note actually an ambidextrous pitcher, he is a left-handed pitcher who is ambidextrous.

Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win!  After 108 years, the Chicago Cubs finally end the drought and win the World Series. Congrats to the Cubs for battling thru the wonderful 7 game series. ...

Pat Venditte shines in his Seattle Mariners debut . MLB.com August 30, 2016 ARLINGTON -- After a rough start by  Hisashi Iwakuma , the Mariners literally switched things up on the Rangers in Monday's  6-3 series-opening loss , with ambidextrous reliever  Pat Venditte  striking out a career-best five in a three-inning relief stint. Read More Custom-made 6-finger glove for #Mariners switch-pitcher Pat Venditte: placed in between L/RHP pitchers in lineup. pic.twitter.com/WdlNtYk6Q3 — Ken Lambert (@SeaTimesFotoKen) September 4, 2016 Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte strikes out 5 (3 right, 2 left) in impressive  # Mariners  debut.  http:// atmlb.com/2cnF1Ht Adrian Beltre wears helmet backwards, pretends to bat lefty against switch-pitcher Venditte. https://t.co/UJeWyQwgHV pic.twitter.com/Mc5yPDuqLp — VICE Sports (@VICESports) August 30, 2016