Switching batters box

klp3515 · #1 (**permalink**) Wed May 19, 2004, 09:47pm

Can a batter start in the left batters box and switch to the right batters box in the same at bat. Batter started in the left box and with one strike swtiches to the right batters box can this be done? Or does he have to finish the at bat.

DG · #2 (**permalink**) Wed May 19, 2004, 10:12pm

Yes, as long as he does not do it when pitcher is in position, ready to pitch (ie before TOP). Think about it. The defense comes out and changes pitchers, a LH pitcher for RH pitcher. My switch hitting batter should be able to switch to adjust to new pitcher.

klp3515 · #3 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 07:49am

The batter switched boxes with the same pitcher with a 1-0 count on the batter.

thumpferee · #4 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 08:45am

Quote:

Originally posted by klp3515
The batter switched boxes with the same pitcher with a 1-0 count on the batter.

As DG has said, legal as long as...etc

batter can switch boxes any time during the @ bat as long as the pitcher is not on the mound (ready to pitch).

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, if the pitcher is on the mound ready to pitch and the batter switches boxes he is out, correct?

klp3515 · #5 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 09:46am

Thanks I just have never seen that done before. I guess it does not make sense why you would do that. Thanks again..

w_sohl · #6 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 10:41am

Just remember if you by chance have an ambidextrious pitcher, that once he/she starts to pitch one way they have to finish the at bat with the same hand.

bob jenkins · #7 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 10:45am

Quote:

Originally posted by w_sohl
Just remember if you by chance have an ambidextrious pitcher, that once he/she starts to pitch one way they have to finish the at bat with the same hand.

Reference, please.

w_sohl · #8 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 11:06am

Quote:

Originally posted by bob jenkins

Quote:

Originally posted by w_sohl
Just remember if you by chance have an ambidextrious pitcher, that once he/she starts to pitch one way they have to finish the at bat with the same hand.

Reference, please.

Don't have my rule book on me, anyone know where I can link the NFHS rule book?

w_sohl · #9 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 11:27am

Just spoke with the IHSA.

NFHS Rule Book
6.1.1

NFHS Case Book
6.1.1 Sitch F

Not sure of the wording because I just got the numbers so one with a book could look it up.

bob jenkins · #10 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 12:06pm

Quote:

Originally posted by w_sohl
Just spoke with the IHSA.

NFHS Rule Book
6.1.1

NFHS Case Book
6.1.1 Sitch F

Not sure of the wording because I just got the numbers so one with a book could look it up.

I knew the case -- but I thought it only applied when there was an ambidextrous pitcher and a switch-hitter.

The rule seems to indicate, however, that the pitcher cannot change (for a given batter).

Thanks.

DG · #11 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 09:29pm

WOWEE. I have never seen an ambidexterous pitcher, much less one that would change during an at bat. Obviously, it has happened if there is a rule for it, but I ain't gonna spend much time on studying something I have never seen, or heard of.

w_sohl · #12 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 09:33pm

I was listening to WGN in Chicago and they had an interview with a kid that is an ambidextrous pitcher. He had a special glove mad so taht he can just switch hands easily.

DG · #13 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 09:37pm

Quote:

Originally posted by w_sohl
I was listening to WGN in Chicago and they had an interview with a kid that is an ambidextrous pitcher. He had a special glove mad so taht he can just switch hands easily.

Thank goodness I don't get up to Chicago much.

YoungRighty · #14 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 11:32pm

This happened in a Cooperstown Baseball World game my son played in:

The other team's pitcher was ambidextrous...had a glove that he could wear on either hand. He would pitch with the expected hand, depending on which side the batter was on.

Trouble for him was that our team had three switch-hitters. The first one that came to the plate, the pitcher stepped back off the rubber and switched his glove. While he was doing this, the batter jumped over to the other side of the plate. The pitcher stepped back on the rubber, looked in, and realized that the batter had switched sides. So he stepped back and the entire sequence repeated itself. It was hilarious, and both teams and the umpires got a big laugh out of it all.

But of course, this could have continued all night. So the umpire took charge, told the pitcher he had to pick a hand to throw with to that batter, and things proceeded smoothly. But I think everyone there (at least on our team) realized they had seen something that they probably would never see again.

Dave Hensley · #15 (**permalink**) Thu May 20, 2004, 11:41pm

Quote:

Originally posted by YoungRighty
This happened in a Cooperstown Baseball World game my son played in:

The other team's pitcher was ambidextrous...had a glove that he could wear on either hand. He would pitch with the expected hand, depending on which side the batter was on.

But of course, this could have continued all night. So the umpire took charge, told the pitcher he had to pick a hand to throw with to that batter, and things proceeded smoothly.

The professional interpretation is that an ambidextrous pitcher is allowed to change once in an at bat, and the batter is allowed to switch once in the at bat. PBUC 6.14.