Ambidextrous Pitcher Question

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by tibear

I would doubt that because the batter is free to switch from which side they want to bat from in between each pitch. I know the rules aren't meant to be fair but it would seem strange that the batter is free to choose which way they want to hit the ball for every pitch but the pitcher has to declare for each batter??? Doesn't make sense. (Which doesn't mean it isn't true!!)

Sure it makes sense. You have to give the nod to either the pitcher or the batter on this matter. What if a switch-hitting batter faces an ambidextrous pitcher?

The pitcher is pitching left-handed so the batter decides to bat right-handed. So the pitcher switches to right-handed. Then the batter steps into the left-handed batter's box. Which causes the pitcher to switch ... and then the batter switches back.

When will this nonsense end?

The rulesmakers have decided to give the nod to the batter. He gets the final say. The only other choice was to give the nod to the pitcher. But somebody has to get the nod.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN