Switch Pitcher Gaining Attention

[wcs71401]

Venditte or something like that in the Yankees organization. I saw him when he played with the Staten Island Yankees. It was pretty weird to see. His glove had an extra thumb on it so he could switch whenever he needed to.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Pat Venditte is now playing for the AA Trenton Thunder. He is not considered a top prospect because of his fastball that comes close to a change up... lol

[wcs71401]

Ok I admit I didn't read what you quoted. Saw his name in there after I posted what I did.

[wcs71401]

It is a huge disadvantage. I remember hearing the first time Venditte faced a switch-hitter they kept switching back and forth so they needed to come up with some sort of rule. From what I "heard" I think he had to decide which arm he was going to use before he threw the first pitch to the batter.

[dabynsky]

I remember watching that AB where each guy was changing which hand they were using. It sounds like this kid from Elgin, my old neck of the woods btw, is a lot bigger prospect than that guy. Hitting high 80s with a fastball is solid velocity to be a middle reliever, and 91 is plenty quick for a righty.

[daddies4angels]

this would be a very good weapon to have for a MLB club in the bullpen.

[Mr. Baseball]

Update:

Venditte is only one-step short of the big leagues, now playing ball for the Triple-A Scranton Yankees. As a reliever, Ventitte has made seven appearances this season and currently sports a 2.70 ERA. I could see him being a September call-up for New York if he continues to pitch well.

[Mex86]

I remember hearing the first time Venditte faced a switch-hitter they kept switching back and forth so they needed to come up with some sort of rule. From what I "heard" I think he had to decide which arm he was going to use before he threw the first pitch to the batter.

Yes, I thought the rule was, each picks their strongest side (or arm) and stays that way through the at-bat. Otherwise, it devolves into a Farrelly brothers movie.

[Switch Pitcher Coach]

Here is the history of Switch Pitching: http://switchpitchercoach.wordpress.com/category/lesser-known-baseball-history/

My boy is a switch pitcher and I think that switching between arms too much is not the way to go. First establish that each arm can win a game on its own and save the switching to finals or play offs so that you can keep pitching to the maximum pitch count for both arms. I intend on such occasions of a final to instruct him to pitch right to the lead off hitter, left to the 2nd etc. Then second time around switch to the other way round. Thus the hitters will face what seem like a new pitcher each time until the 7 inning and then face the opposite of what they faced last time at bat. The batters will have difficulty setting. Once he gets to the higher levels the scouting will adjust this method as we will know who has difficulty with south paws etc. Mind you I will be keeping a record of the hitters he faces so to gauge who is weaker with what when he is younger too.

My boy's fast ball will be solid as he is likely to be taller than me at 6' 4" and throws hot stuff now, though I haven't told him his real speed as I focus on control 24-7.