Switch Pitchers

[CRBurks]

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,

[w_sohl]

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.

[Trojans73]

"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!

[w_sohl]

Originally posted by Trojans73
"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.

[brian43]

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.

[theswitch11]

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.

[bluduc]

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.

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by CRBurks
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,

The ambidextrous pitcher is covered by NAPBL/PBUC Umpire Manual, Section 6.14, which says:

In the rare occasion of an ambidextrous pitcher, the pitcher and batter may each change position one time 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).{all original emphasis}

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:

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]

I would suggest following the PBUC interpretation for any non-International OBR game.

Hope this helps

Cheers