Cape Cod League oddity

Did any of you see the film clip of a game where an ambidextrous pitcher (able to pitch with either arm) was facing a switch-hitter. When the batter would see which arm the pitcher intended to use to pitch, he would then call time to switch to other side of plate. And so then the pitcher would change over so as to switch his intended pitching arm. This literally went on for several minutes back and forth with the batter changing sides several times and the pitcher then responding each time by "changing his pitching arm" before the next pitch was ever thrown.

Finally the umps got together and decided the batter had to commit to only one side so the game could proceed. Know what happened? The pitcher struck him out. Looked bad on a mean curve ball out of the strike zone!

funny. From a rules standpoint, was this handled correctly?

 

Switch Pitcher

Saw it on ESPN highlights. Pitcher is truely unique. I'd like to see the glove that fits on either hand. Oh, that was a mean curve he finished with too.

 

see it

here's a link to the switching pitcher and batter game situation. and it may not have been cape cod league. I think it's in the minors.

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer....545d&pid=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

 

Staten Island Yankees versus Brooklyn Cyclones. That's New York-Penn League. Short Season Single-A Minor League Baseball. Yankees versus Mets minor league farm teams.

 

thanks

thanks for the correction. Noticed SI Yankees are managed by Pat McMahon , former head coach of Florida Gators.

 

My fantasy finish to this fiasco: The pitcher throws first pitch & drills the batter between the blades. Would that have sparked a "get-to-know-you-up-close-&-personal" session?

I haven't heard any official word on this, but here's how I would call this: Batter has to get in the box & stay there. He can ask for time & step out a time or two. But everntually the Plate Ump refuses to award time & ball remains live. Strike One.

 

I agree that the batter must eventually get into the box. He can't keep stepping out. The umpire should not keep giving the batter time.

 

I could swear that there used to be a rule that the pitcher had to declare before the at bat which side he would throw from. Can't remember why I thought that was a rule. There used to be a "switch-throwing" pitcher in the majors at least once. But I believe he had two gloves and would have to exchange them for individual batters. Someone with more time on their hands can look this up.

The only rule I could find was with an umpiring federation that the batter stepped into the box and could change sides one time per at bat. I could not find anywhere where the pitcher had to choose or declare officially in my quick search.

 

You are correct Hoops:

"A switch-pitcher facing a switch-hitter could make a fine Abbott and Costello routine. Against Nebraska last year, a switch-hitter came to the plate right-handed, prompting Venditte to switch to his right arm, which caused the batter to move to the left-hand batter’s box, with Venditte switching his arm again. Umpires ultimately restored order, applying the rule (the same as that in the majors) that a pitcher must declare which arm he will use before throwing his first pitch and cannot change before the at-bat ends.

 

I remember reading about a kid from Creighton who was a switch pitcher. I think it might be the same guy. He had a cool looking glove. I think it had 6 fingers and could fit on either hand.