The once outmatched switch hitter may soon be meeting his equal. Just recently ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte for the Oakland A’s made his Major League debut. Just recently switch pitcher Ryan Perez was drafted in the 12th round by the Cleveland Indians. From the time switch hitting made its first appearance in baseball it has been a huge advantage. There has been no distinct way to slow down a switch hitter, until now.
Who knows this may be the start of something fantastic. A way to equal the batter vs. pitcher battle ground. Having a switch hitter is a significant advantage in baseball. Mickey Mantle is one of the most famous hitters of all time, and having the ability to hit both righty and lefty helped make him the world renounced hitter he is today. Right handed batters simply hit better against left-handed pitchers and vice versa. So a batter that has the ability to bat on either side of the plate is an immeasurable asset to have. A switch pitcher may end up being an even more superior talent to obtain.
Pat Venditte has been seen having the capability to switch throwing arms in between pitches. That is insanely difficult to not only be able to do, but has to be just as challenging to hit against. How can a hitter prepare against a guy with that talent? This new trend can end up being something very interesting to watch in baseball.
When Pat Venditte went up against switch hitter Ralph Henriquez, while in the minor leagues, the PBUC (Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation) actually had to come up with a new rule. The rule was enforced because when the two players faced each other at the plate, both guy kept switching their batting/pitching preference back and forth. This continual switch between players went on for a few minutes, so a rule needed to be implemented. The new rule states that switch pitchers must choose which way they will begin pitching before they start. Then the batter has to select which side of the plate he will hit from. Both players are each allowed one switch during the at bat appearance, after the first pitch is thrown. How cool is that? It’s like an Old Western Showdown.
The new wave of the future is starting to reach the shores of baseball diamonds everywhere. Baseball pitchers are notoriously known for throwing out their arms. If you are strictly a right-handed or left-handed pitcher only and you throw out your arm you’re done. No ifs ands or buts, you’re outta here! This isn’t the case with ambidextrous pitchers, they have a backup arm.
Ryan Perez is reportedly equipped to throw a 94 mph fastball left-handed, and a 92 mph fastball right-handed. So if anytime Perez hurts one of his arms he has his other arm in his back pocket to use anytime he feels necessary. How long of a career can an ambidextrous pitcher have? A single armed pitcher lasting into his 40s is impressive, but could that be a cake walk for a switch pitcher?
In a way a switch pitcher is almost like having 2 pitchers in 1 player. Baseball teams could potentially use the same pitcher in back to back games. Have an ambidextrous pitcher pitch one game lefty then have them have him pitch the next righty. This could come in handy in the World Series as well as decreasing the time needed to rest a single pitcher.
This also leads to the question of how teams should pay these guys. Technically these guys are a 2 for 1 deal. Should they make more money? Do switch hitters make a little extra cash? If they do then, switch pitchers should too.
Kids learning to throw with both hands may be a result of this very intriguing talent. Don’t be surprised driving through neighborhoods, parks, or baseball fields and see kids following up right-handed throws with a left-handed zinger. Baseball to this day is continuing to evolve. What’s next, a robotic umpire?
[…] posted on The AOSN on June 11, […]