Why hasn't there been a switch pitcher yet in baseball ?

Question

He'd make ridiculous money ?

Answer 1

Ah, but there has...
Greg Harris of the Montreal Expos in 1995. Here's the link.
http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_story.jsp?article_id=mlb_20000303_holtzman_cols&team_id=mlb

As for serious switch-pitchers, there are a few in college. Harvard had one and there is one at Creighton now. It's a really interesting story:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=87131

This is a great question.
PS-LOL re Jim Abbott :-)

Answer 2

U can't switch in the middle of an inning any ways Since the manager only gets a set number of mound visits and u would need a different glove it would be pointless

Answer 3

That would bascially require training from the time he was a veyr little kid to make certain he used both hands. It would also mean that as he was growing up playing catch with his father he would have to throw and catch with both hands. In little league he would haeve to do that same, in pony league..in whatever league he ever played in. Thsi would take too much time, andbecause it would haev to start as a child would probably no last. People normally naturally develop dominance with one hand. At the MLB level these pitchers really only train to throw with that one arm, hence why they aren't exactly the best hitters ever

Answer 4

I would have considered Jim Abbott of the Angels a switch pitcher

Answer 5

Do a Google search on Greg Harris. He's the only player in the modern era to pitch with both hands in a single game.

Answer 6

1. No one thows equally well with both hands.
2. Not really enough value in it. Sure you get your lefty lefty matchup but that only works if he has some nasty left handed breaking ball.
3. Would need some kind of crazy glove that worked on both hands as he would need to keep switching it.

Answer 7

Greg Harris

You can switch in the middle of an inning but not in the middle of a batter

Answer 8

there has been don't remember the name...its a good idea i might get my kid to do that when i have one..im very ambidexterous...i threw 94 tops right handed and 70 left handed and that was without any strenghtening!

Answer 9

because u need 2 gloves and it is very hard too do

Answer 10

greg harris did it and he actually had a special glove made to do it.