Switch-Hitter vs Switch-Pitcher

[Rich Ives]

In OBR each can switch once.


In reality it will always be the pitcher who switches first because the batter will pick a side as he steps up. The pitcher will then switch. The batter will then switch.

[dash_riprock]

If the batter has to be in the box before the pitcher takes the rubber, then the batter will switch first.

[BigTex]

There is no rule that states that the pitcher must wear a glove. What is stopping the pitcher from standing facing the batter with both feet on the rubber and the ball in front of him in both bare hands. (wind-up position) Once the batter gets in the box, the pitcher can then decide which foot to use as his pivot foot, and go from there with the corresponding hand.

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by BigTex

There is no rule that states that the pitcher must wear a glove. What is stopping the pitcher from standing facing the batter with both feet on the rubber and the ball in front of him in both bare hands. (wind-up position) Once the batter gets in the box, the pitcher can then decide which foot to use as his pivot foot, and go from there with the corresponding hand.

COOL!!

[SAump]

This ambidextrous sitch no longer falls in the category of TWP discussion.
Was this 1 of about 234 original OBR rulebook errors that may be corrected anytime soon?

[TussAgee11]

Check out the pitcher after the batter switches for the 1st time. He turns behind him and sticks up a finger towards somebody, almost indicating "he can only switch once right?"

Seems like he knew what was up and the umpires didn't, but eventually got it right.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Check out the pitcher after the batter switches for the 1st time. He turns behind him and sticks up a finger towards somebody, almost indicating "he can only switch once right?"

Seems like he knew what was up and the umpires didn't, but eventually got it right.

According to a local AA umpire, the umpires knew that rule. The debate was over what constituted the beginning of the "at-bat"...who had to be in position first, from which point the counting of switches would begin. Since pitchers are often don't take the until the batter enters the box, they went with the batter committing first, the opposite of the FED requirement.

According to the national press, PBUC and MLB are working on a unified clarification.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

If the batter has to be in the box before the pitcher takes the rubber, then the batter will switch first.

If the pitcher was pitching RH to the last batter then changing to LH is a switch is it not?

[dash_riprock]

That's one way to look at it. Another way is the pitcher starts over with each batter. In the Cyclone's game, RH pitcher ultimately faced RH batter, so the pitcher got the last switch.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

That's one way to look at it. Another way is the pitcher starts over with each batter. In the Cyclone's game, RH pitcher ultimately faced RH batter, so the pitcher got the last switch.

But then from the video it didn't look like anyone knew how to handle it.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

But then from the video it didn't look like anyone knew how to handle it.

Do you think they got it wrong?

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Do you think they got it wrong?

It's short-season Penn League. These PBUC-baby umpires were so fresh you could smell the baby powder on their butts. [Not for long, I'm sure.]

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

But then from the video it didn't look like anyone knew how to handle it.

Ejecting the pitcher would solve EVERYTHING.

[cshs81]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

In OBR each can switch once.


.

I was looking at the rulebook and can't find the above. Can you point me in the right direction?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by cshs81

I was looking at the rulebook and can't find the above. Can you point me in the right direction?

PBUC Manual (2004) Section 6.15