Quote:
Originally posted by greymule
As far as OBR goes, I always believed that the batter could switch batter's boxes without limit. He could switch after every pitch, the only restriction being that he couldn't do so while the pitcher was in ready position.
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I believe Thom was referring to the following NAPBL passage:
6.14 AMBIDEXTROUS PITCHERS
In the rare occasion of an ambidextrous pitcher, the pitcher and batter may each change positions one time per at-bat. For example, if the pitcher changes from right handed to left-handed and the batter then changes batter's boxes, each player must remain that way for the duration of that at-bat (unless the offensive team substitutes a pinch hitter, and then each player may again "switch" one time).
No doubt this passage is intended to avoid a merry-go-round of offensive and defensive switches in the event of a switch hitter and an ambidextrous pitcher. Interestingly enough, however, it doesn't specify who must make any commitment first as to their handedness. So, I guess you need to be alert to see if the batter enters the box before the pitcher engages the pitching rubber.
Regarding ambidextrous pitchers, Tom Lepperd noted on MLB.com:
Ambidextrous pitchers are rare but do exist. An example was Greg Harris, who pitched with the Boston Red Sox. When such pitchers pitch in the Major Leagues, they must pitch with the same hand during a batter's entire at-bat. [my emphasis] Such pitchers may change pitching hand for the next batter, but again must continue with that arm for that batter's entire at-bat.
So, Lepperd addresses the issue slighlty different than NAPBL in that he does not allow
any switch by the pitcher whereas NAPBL allows the pitcher to change handedness one time during an at bat. NAPBL also restricts the offense to one change of handedness
when facing an ambidextrous pitcher whereas Lepperd does not address that issue. I'd therefore consider Lepperd's statement an open issue that the batter could switch as often as he desired assuming he did so between pitches and not when the pitcher was preparing to pitch. Other than the above quoted NAPBL passage, I've seen no limitations anywhere on a batter's frequency of changing handedness when batting.
Fed rule coincides with Lepperds statement in that the pitcher must decide which hand he will pitch with and remain that way for a batter's entire AB. The batter is not restricted as to which side he must bat from.
Just my opinion,
Freix