Batter switching from right to left handed

[cas659]

I was ask a question as to how many times a batter can switch from being a right handed to left handed batter during an at bat. All I can find is that the batter is out if he or she switchs while the pitcher is on the pitching rubber.

[blueump]

70 x 7

(as many times as they want)

[mcrowder]

Can someone confirm or deny this for me:

With that both-handed pitcher in the minors 2 years ago, there was talk of making a rule that the pitcher had to make known which arm he was throwing with before the batter entered the box. There was other talk of enforcing it the other way around.

If there's no rule (and assume the pitcher in the stretch, where it's obvious which way he's pitching), what prevents a never-ending stalemate of batter switching, then pitcher switching, etc, or the batter standing outside the box waiting for the pitcher to touch the rubber, and stepping out if the pitcher steps off the rubber to change.

This is MLB. Doubt this would affect many lower levels ... but it's a good "what-if".

[TriggerMN]

The pitcher in this situation was a guy named Greg Harris, who at that time pitched with the Montreal Expos. He was ambidextrous (or "amphibious", if you're former NCState hoopster Chris Washburn), and got the okay from his skipper to pitch with both arms during a blowout. If I remember correctly, the umpires ruled that Harris had to declare which arm he would pitch with before each batter. Once he made a pitch with his right or left arm, he had to continue using that arm until the plate appearance ended. I don't have a rule reference, but I'm quite sure that if there is ever a "back and forth" situation such as this, the pitcher must be the one to declare first, and the batter can decide second.

[blueump]

I guess that would depend on which hand he wore his glove on. Its a little hard to pitch with the left hand if you wear a glove on it. What was this guy gonna do? Take two gloves on the field and then set one down behind the mound?

[LDUB]

Originally posted by mcrowder
Can someone confirm or deny this for me:

With that both-handed pitcher in the minors 2 years ago, there was talk of making a rule that the pitcher had to make known which arm he was throwing with before the batter entered the box. There was other talk of enforcing it the other way around.

If there's no rule (and assume the pitcher in the stretch, where it's obvious which way he's pitching), what prevents a never-ending stalemate of batter switching, then pitcher switching, etc, or the batter standing outside the box waiting for the pitcher to touch the rubber, and stepping out if the pitcher steps off the rubber to change.

This is MLB. Doubt this would affect many lower levels ... but it's a good "what-if".

2003 FED rule book 6-1-1 note. If a pitcher is ambidextrous, the umpire shall require the pitcher to face a better as either a left-handed pitcher or right-handed pitcher, but not both.

[DG]

Originally posted by TriggerMN
The pitcher in this situation was a guy named Greg Harris, who at that time pitched with the Montreal Expos. He was ambidextrous (or "amphibious", if you're former NCState hoopster Chris Washburn), and got the okay from his skipper to pitch with both arms during a blowout. If I remember correctly, the umpires ruled that Harris had to declare which arm he would pitch with before each batter. Once he made a pitch with his right or left arm, he had to continue using that arm until the plate appearance ended. I don't have a rule reference, but I'm quite sure that if there is ever a "back and forth" situation such as this, the pitcher must be the one to declare first, and the batter can decide second.

Charles Shackleford was the amphibious player at NC STATE. When asked how he could shoot so well with either hand he said "Shack be amphibiouis" Washburn was yet another another academic low performer.

[DG]

I have never seen an ambidexterous pitcher. I do know of one guy who was right handed pitcher until he severely cut his right wrist in an accident, and over time he converted to a left handed pitcher. But he was never both.

[Gee]

The PBUC/NAPBL has a rulling on this that when an ambidextrous pitcher and a switch hitter face each other they can each change handedness only once per at bat. G

[CaptStevenM]

Being an NC State student, we try to keep Charles Shackleford on the dl here. But I believe the quote was: "I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand. I must be amphibious."