Ambidexterous Pitcher

[MikeStrybel]

I received a couple emails telling me not to be baited by you. I mistakenly posted that the current PBUC standard involves the ability to change. The video I posted was from 2008 and the ruling I provided followed that game by a week or so.

One of the emails I recieved included this (from another forum):

This is from the 2011 Baseball Rules Differences for 2011.

Pitcher: Ambidextrous: Guidelines for switching arms
Federation:

When a pitcher wishes to pitch with either hand, if a switch-hitter steps into the box, the umpire will require the hurler to (sic) the hand he will pitch with, after which the batter may choose whichever box he pleases. (6-1-1; 6.1.1f).

There is also an important ruling about the FED pitching-limitation rule and how it affects ambidextrous pitchers. In other words, the # of innings any pitcher may pitch no matter if he can pitch with one or both arms.

NCAA POE: 1990[balk]: Same as FED (9-2k; 9-2k AR 1)

ALSO: The pitcher may not switch hands after delivering a pitch, but if the current batter is replaced by a pinch hitter, the pitcher may switch. (9-2k AR 2)

PENALTY: After having d, if the pitcher illegally switches hands it is: (1) a balk with runners on base; (2) an illegal pitch and a ball with the bases empty. (EDITED) (3) A WARNING; (4) an ejection if the offense is repeated (9-2k Pen

OBR: Point Not Covered. However, in the 2009 Rulebook without announcing it as a change OBR does cover it in their rulebook under 8.01f. In other words, they snuck it in without telling anyone.

OBR 8.01f: A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate.

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.

In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has switched.

The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief.

So, now all 3 rulebooks are in agreement on this issue.

I stand by my belief that this took far too long to deal with. The umpires failed to confer and should have known better. Venditte's ability to pitch from both arms was not a secret. Now, hopefully, other umpires will know how to handle it. That is, if the above quote is correct. As I only belong to this forum, others can attest to its veracity.