Ambidexterous Pitcher

[MikeStrybel]

I was well aware of that. It was still not handled well. I have used this video in clinics to illustrate how to handle things not defined in the book. Make the call.

PBUC issued its new guidelines on July 3, 2008. It reads:

The pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitching to the batter. Engaging the rubber with the glove on a particular hand is considered a definitive commitment to with which arm he will throw. The batter will then choose which side of the plate he will bat from.

The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an injury.

Any switch (by either the pitcher or the batter) must be clearly indicated to the umpire.

There will be no warm-up pitches during the change of arms.

If an injury occurs the pitcher may change arms but not use that arm again during the remainder of the game.

I may be in the minority but I would have liked to see that batter have to commit to a side rather than the pitcher. They defensive team responds to the actions of the offense, after all.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I may be in the minority but I would have liked to see that batter have to commit to a side rather than the pitcher. They defensive team responds to the actions of the offense, after all.

The problem is that the batter has always been able to switch which side they hit from. While pitchers have too, it's only been recently that ambidextrous has even been an issue.

[dash_riprock]

Without the new rule I would have required the batter to pick a box for each pitch.

[Mrumpiresir]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Without the new rule I would have required the batter to pick a box for each pitch.

I gotta disagree. Make the pitcher declare. After all, even against a good batter, the pitcher wins about 70% of the time. But I would like to hear your reasoning on your opinion.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by Mrumpiresir

I gotta disagree. Make the pitcher declare. After all, even against a good batter, the pitcher wins about 70% of the time. But I would like to hear your reasoning on your opinion.

6.02 (a) The batter shall take his position in the batter’s box promptly when it is his time at bat.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

6.02 (a) The batter shall take his position in the batter’s box promptly when it is his time at bat.

So?

He can change any time except:

6.06 A batter is out for illegal action when—
(b) He steps from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch;

[DG]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

So?

He can change any time except:

6.06 A batter is out for illegal action when—
(b) He steps from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch;

In the video the pitcher changed his glove several times and then took the rubber, and batter swapped.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Without the new rule I would have required the batter to pick a box for each pitch.

I agree. Tell him to get in the box and if he refuses, it is his actions that help guide the outcome.

There are plenty of things that happen on baseball fields that aren't defined by the rules. Sometimes you just have to umpire.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by yawetag

The problem is that the batter has always been able to switch which side they hit from. While pitchers have too, it's only been recently that ambidextrous has even been an issue.

That is why I prefer the batter to commit. I don't concern myself with batting statistics. A batter is considered offensive personnel and by definition, the defense responds to his actions. It's a shame that Venditte didn't make it further. Somewhere, Bill Veeck is spinning at the missed opportunity.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

A batter is considered offensive personnel and by definition, the defense responds to his actions.

It's the other way around in baseball - the only team sport where the defense controls the ball.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

It's the other way around in baseball - the only team sport where the defense controls the ball.

Only when my Cubbies are playing.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Only when my Cubbies are playing.

At least you get to go to a great ballpark. I can't do that anymore.

[justanotherblue]

Being this was a MiLB game, per PBUC 6.15

"In the rare occassion of an ambidextrous pitcher, the pitcher and the batter may each change position one time per at bat".

This rule was in affect at the time of this play. It's a rare as hell event, obviously not a section we read often. Obviously PU either didn't know it or remember it.

This is directly out of the 04 edition p76 of the PBUC Umpire manual 04 edition.

[bob jenkins]

PU knew it, but when does the "switch" take place. Neither had declared, so neither had switched. Thus, the rule change.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

PU knew it, but when does the "switch" take place. Neither had declared, so neither had switched. Thus, the rule change.

Venditte knew the rule, evidenced by his request for time and signalling to the PU that the batter can change one time. The crew allegedly knew the rule but it appears that the batter didn't.

Venditte stayed off the rubber until he saw the batter step into the box. It would appear that the batter made his decision and the pitcher responded. That would seem to indicate his switch. The rule in place at the time would have prohibited him from changing sides again during that at bat. No verbal 'declaration' was required back then.