Ever wondered what happens when a switch pitcher meets a switch hitter?

A quick google led me to this for the pitcher "a pitcher must declare which arm he will use before throwing his first pitch and cannot change before the at-bat ends" and this for the batter(it also said that normally a batter can switch sides as many times as they want during an at bat with 1 exception) "The only prohibition (under normal circumstances) is that the batter cannot switch once the pitcher is in position ready to pitch. If he changes from one side of the plate to the other once the pitcher is in position, the batter is out. A batter is out for illegal action when he steps from one batter's box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch..." seems like the umps could have found this out while preparing to umpire a game with a switch pitcher. I also read somewhere that there is a rule allowing both the pitcher and the hitter only 1 chance each to change during the at bat if they are both ambedextrious.

posted by Hannibal at 01:07 PM - reply - flag:

More information on the pitcher on Wiki. Already updated regarding the minor league switch-hitter incident. Article says the umps got it wrong.

posted by graymatters at 01:50 PM - reply - flag:

Well, even if the umps gloriously F-ed this up, it was still a lot of fun to watch.

posted by Chargdres at 01:51 PM - reply - flag:

From the link: Switch Pitcher vs. Switch Hitter, 6/19/08: What the hell happens when both the batter and the hitter can go both ways? Holy crap!! You mean to tell me that the poor ambidextrous pitcher had to face a batter and a hitter at the same time? Hardly sounds fair, if you ask me.

posted by THX-1138 at 02:16 PM - reply - flag:

Someone told me about this kid just yesterday. I could NOT believe such a person existed. That's great.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 02:18 PM - reply - flag:

If the batter switches sides, the pitcher should just knock him down. Wait a minute, which way is inside? I'm confused. Some time ago Boston had a reliever named Greg Harris, who was ambidextrous. The club would never allow him to change sides, and limited him to pitching right-handed only. Too bad. It would have been fun to see.

posted by Howard_T at 03:28 PM - reply - flag:

Switch Pitcher vs. Switch Hitter, 6/19/08: Thought I was gonna get to see some grainy ol black and white 100 year old footage.

posted by Folkways at 04:22 PM - reply - flag:

Some time ago Boston had a reliever named Greg Harris, who was ambidextrous. The club would never allow him to change sides, and limited him to pitching right-handed only. Too bad. It would have been fun to see. He got his chance as a Montreal Expo. He pitched right-handed, then switched for two batters as a left-handed pitcher. The game log doesn't mention it, but his splits show it.

posted by grum@work at 04:29 PM - reply - flag:

The Baseball Library indicates Harris got first out as a righty, then gave up a walk and got an out pitching lefthanded, then got third out as a righty.

posted by graymatters at 04:32 PM - reply - flag:

I happened to be watching this game last night. Funny stuff. The video in the link doesn't show it but he strikes the guy out. 2 called strikes (including a good curve ball), a ball, and then a slider outside that the hitter whifs on, after which he proceeds to unhappily slam his bat into the ground. The pitcher's fastball was in the high 80s. I think I've heard of this before. I'm sure there's a few other guys out there capable of this...

posted by DudeDykstra at 06:46 PM - reply - flag:

How much did he pay for the glove?

posted by THX-1138 at 07:22 PM - reply - flag:

Switch Pitcher vs. Switch Hitter, 6/19/08: What the hell happens when both the batter and the hitter can go both ways? I've met quite a few people who go both ways. I'm not sure what it has to do with baseball though. And I never, ever ask what the hell happens. It's none of my business. Thanks, BOP.

posted by BoKnows at 07:47 PM - reply - flag:

I never, ever ask what the hell happens. A gay man who lived in Khartoum Took a lesbian up to his room But they argued all night Over who had the right To do what and with which and to whom. My apologies to anyone whom I have offended, but I couldn't resist the temptation.

posted by Howard_T at 07:25 PM - reply - flag:

Howard, I think you get a pass based on your use of "Khartoum" in a limerick.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:54 AM - reply - flag:

Friday, June 20, 2008

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