Switch-pitching?

[YankeeDoodle]

Kinda wondered why this hasn't been given a fair shake at the major league level? Could it ever work? If so, or if not, why or why not?

 

Did some light Googling:

 

A lesson in switch-pitching

 

Kennedy's mailbag: Midseason Q & A (second question down)

[Sizzlin22]

That's actually a good idea I don't know if it would work at the big league leve though.

[YankeeDoodle]

Theoretically it would be sweet because a) the hitter doesn't know which arm he's going to use (), and the pitch count would be split into two.

 

Switch-pitching vs. switch-hitting, would be cool to see?

 

And who knows, maybe each arm is better at throwing different pitches?

[yeszir]

I've heard someone on the Harvard team used to be a switch pitcher. But thats it.

[stevece80]

Relievers should just learn how to play first base. Really. Think about it.

[Sizzlin22]

It's also good because if you screw up one arm somehow you can still pitch with the other. I also agree with HE it would be so much easier to manage a game. Im sure most of them could it's not that hard of a position to play.

[stevece80]

I'm not just imagining that you could swap lefty and righty specialist relievers at will if they're at first and on the mound respectively, correct?

[ORS]

That's a good question. Do the rules allow pitchers to return to the mound if they stay on the field? I'm doubting it because you probably would have seen it at some point by now.

[YankeeDoodle]

Not sure if I understand this correctly; as in the lefty and righty specialists are on the field at the same time; only one is actually pitching and the other is over at 1B. So then they could do a switcharoo?

 

That might be a more plausible idea. I'll look up pitching substitution rules sometime, when I don't feel so lazy.

 

Btw, I was originally referring about one starting pitcher who's ambidextrous. Expecting much?

[Sizzlin22]

I believe it is legal you just have to take the firstbaseman out.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I been wondering about this for awhile now, seeing as how i am ambidextrous and can throw with both hands. I just suck at pitching. lol

[BrentD22]

I don't know for a fact, but I do know you can play different positions in 1 game. Matter of fact I think at least 1 player has played all 9 on the field during a game (or at least 8, memory doesn't serve me well). I just don't know if you can go back to a position you've already played.

 

I pledge to get to the bottom of this.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

In a game the other day kapler started in right field, moved to left for an inning and went back to right for the 9th.

[Moose]

Off-the-topic:

 

I just want to ask why there can't be left-handed-throwing catchers. I mean, it's not like it's the 2nd baseman, Shortstop, or 3rd baseman, which the player has to be strictly right handed only (throwing).

[ORS]

Off-the-topic:

 

I just want to ask why there can't be left-handed-throwing catchers. I mean, it's not like it's the 2nd baseman, Shortstop, or 3rd baseman, which the player has to be strictly right handed only (throwing).

It's a leftover tradition. While right handed batters are still more prevalent, they used to be even more prevalent in the past. A left handed catcher has to avoid a right handed batter to make the throw to 2nd, and has to make a fuller turn to set up for the throw to 3rd.

[Manny Goes Boom]

HAHAHAHA, I can only imagine. A switch pitcher winning 50 games in a season. THAT would be intense.

[26 to 6]

That's a good question. Do the rules allow pitchers to return to the mound if they stay on the field? I'm doubting it because you probably would have seen it at some point by now.

yes, Jesse Orosco used to do this all the time in the 80's, hed go out and play right field when a righty was up and pitch when a lefty was up.

[26 to 6]

i remember recently hearing about a pitcher who threw both lefty and righty, and i meant to look him up, but it slipped my mind i guess. i forget his name as well, the only reason i remember now is because of this thread

[26 to 6]

Greg Harris

 

Former Yankee and Red Sock. Also a Met, Expo, Red, and Padre.

 

Pitched 1981-1995

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I believe it is legal you just have to take the firstbaseman out.

There is one other key factor if you do it you lose the DH.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Its I nice thought, having a switch pitcher, but that the stuff of Disney Movies. I think the entire board would agree that there is a definite lack of quality pitching in the Majors ( this is especially true of lefties ). The chances of any pitches being able to excell with both arms is astronomical. It's nice to dream though.

[elsrbueno]

There is one other key factor if you do it you lose the DH.

 

and in an era of professional sports where very few managers are willing to take risks (stolen bases, sacrifice bunts are down), it seems unlikely they'll do something like this.

 

Could Mike Myers play first base for one out while Chad Bradford gets out a tough righty, and vice versa? Probably. But the problem is most managers are so afraid by how they'll be scrutinized by the media that they don't take risks like that anymore.

 

This kind of senario is even more important to the Red Sox because they are down to just the one lefthanded reliever in Myers. It would seem all the more important to be able to have him for later in the game.

 

As far as the rules go, I'm pretty sure a player can switch positions as often as you damn well please, as long as they don't come OUT of the game. Also, if you move the DH to the field, you lose the DH... but those are the only applicable rules I can think of.

 

As far as one guy throwing with both hands... have you ever tried throwing with your off hand? It's a fun joke, but there's no way these guys could get MAJOR LEAGUE hitters out "switch pitching." Most of them are hittable enough with their strong arms.

[YankeeDoodle]

He's not a switch-pitcher, but Babe Ruth was a pitcher at one point. I say we insert him into the Yankees rotation. Before Stottlemyre messes up his mechanics. <_ and on the days when he not pitching...why play that outfield maybe can bring curse back it hurt to try. src="//d1mqtyoopj0gsc.cloudfront.net/emoticons/default_biggrin.png" alt=":D">

 

Now I remember that insurance commercial where Clemens and RJ morphed into one person, and the ball went through the wall. That's some heat!

[soxie thefangirl]

Hah I was just thinking about this today. Switch pitching.

[YankeeDoodle]

HAHAHAHA, I can only imagine. A switch pitcher winning 50 games in a season. THAT would be intense.

That's like a saves stat. And Cy Young's 511 wins might be in jeopardy.

[stevece80]

There is one other key factor if you do it you lose the DH.

 

You'd only lose the DH if you put the DH in the field.

[stevece80]

yes, Jesse Orosco used to do this all the time in the 80's, hed go out and play right field when a righty was up and pitch when a lefty was up.

 

He did that a total of once.

[CrespoBlows]

He did that a total of once.

 

Owned!

[MC Hammer]

He's not a switch-pitcher, but Babe Ruth was a pitcher at one point. I say we insert him into the Yankees rotation. Before Stottlemyre messes up his mechanics. <_ and on the days when he not pitching...why play that outfield maybe can bring curse back it hurt to try. src="//d1mqtyoopj0gsc.cloudfront.net/emoticons/default_biggrin.png" alt=":D">

 

Now I remember that insurance commercial where Clemens and RJ morphed into one person, and the ball went through the wall. That's some heat!

I got a shovel if you know where the grave is

[YankeeDoodle]

You rock, man. :thumbsup:

 

While we're at it, let's call up Joe DiMaggio from the minors. How does Yogi Berra feel about catching (his catching skills might be better than Posada's is right now)?

 

Watch out AL East, here we come! Don't you dare wake me from my time-warp dream.