What are the OBR rules regarding a switch pitcher. When is he permitted to change gloves and switch from right to left?…on one batter?…in between batters?…Does it constitute a pitcher change when he switches? If so, what are the ramifications of the pitcher change? Where are the OBR rules regarding switch pitchers?

Thank you,

I was listening to a radio show talking to a kid that had his dad teach him to pitch with both hands, thus he is a left and right handed pitcher. In one particular game a switch hitter came to the plate and they kept going back and forth about eight times till the umpire told the pitcher to pick a side. Once a pitcher starts pitching one way to a batter he must finish pitching that batter that way, after that he can switch.

By the way this kid also had a glove specially made that is a right and left handed glove. Two thumbs essentially I think.

"In one particular game a switch hitter came to the plate and they kept going back and forth about eight times till the umpire told the pitcher to pick a side."

Where you at this game? Why in the world would an umpire let it go 8 times?

After one or two times, I would tell the pitcher to pick an arm!

I was just relaying the interview that was conducted on WGN Radio here in Chicago one morning. It could have been much fewer flip/flops.

not sure about OBR rules on this one but i know in FED rules it states that once he starts using one arm, he has to finish the batter with it. if he changes it is considered deception when a runner is on base and could be called a balk for that if i read it correctly. i assume its the same as OBR rules.

I am a switch Pitcher....
 

I have been wondering about this for a long time. I have been working on my mechanics for 2 years, at least. I just wanted to say thanks for easing my mind on this. I will be the next Switch Pitcher. Thank you.

Had this come up 2 years ago. Coach had ask me about it several days in advance so I had looked for it in OBR, I found nothing to cover it. We had a few flip-flops and finally told the batter to stay in the box and I would not give him time.
The coach tells him to change sides just as the pitcher comes set. He does, I call him out under 6.06(b). Manager filed a protest and lost. Pitcher gave up switching the next week, just was not cut out to be a lefty. Throwing a strike about every 15 th pitch don't get it.

The ambidextrous pitcher is covered by NAPBL/PBUC Umpire Manual, Section 6.14, which says:<ul>In the rare occasion of an ambidextrous pitcher, the pitcher and batter may each change position <b>one time</b> per at-bat. For example, if the pitcher changes from right-handed to left-handed and the batter then changes batter's boxes, each player must remain that way for the duration of that at-bat (unless the offensive team substitutes a pinch hitter, and then each player may again "switch" one time).{<i>all original emphasis</i>}</ul>Changing hands does NOT constitute a pitcher change.

There doesn't appear to be any OBR rule or any JEA interpretation covering ambidextrous pitchers, but there is an IBA rule covering them for International competition:<ul>A pitcher must continue to pitch with the same arm for one batter until the batter becomes a runner or is put out [IBA 62]</ul>I would suggest following the PBUC interpretation for any non-International OBR game.

Hope this helps

Cheers