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Ambidextrous pitcher + switch-hitter = confusion

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:19 pm
by PurpleMustReign
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3455201
NEW YORK -- Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte can confound hitters -- and umpires -- when he's on the mound.

The umps working a game Thursday night between the Class-A Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones had nothing to go by when Venditte made his professional debut, less than two weeks after getting drafted in the 20th round by the Yankees.

He pitched the ninth, and after retiring two batters and allowing a single, a switch-hitter stepped to the plate for Brooklyn. That's hardly unusual. But it becomes intriguing against Venditte, a switch pitcher.

Man, what a strange sequence! Next time they will definitely remember that rule about the pitcher declaring the arm he intends to use. Would have been fun to see though, that's for sure.

Re: Ambidextrous pitcher + switch-hitter = confusion

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:32 pm
by glg
I don't think I like the ump's ruling. Usually a switch hitter comes up and gets to decide which way to go, so I'd say the hitter gets last call. Most switch hitters have a "weaker" side, so the pitcher should just be making sure to put the guy on his weak side.

Re: Ambidextrous pitcher + switch-hitter = confusion

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:26 am
by jackal
I saw that the other day the both switched over and over again
is was funny to watch a little.