Can a switch hitter change sides whenever he feels or does he have to stay on the side he came to bat to?
2007-03-14 15:39:54 · 14 answers · asked by El Conquistador 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
He can switch at will as long as the pitcher is not in position to deliver a pitch.
For all the nuts who have said a batter is locked into one box, and the switch hitters and umpires who have responded with correct information, I challenge you to read rule 6 of he OBR and show where this is not legal. Don't confuse the experimental ruling fo 2006 to mean a batter can NEVER step out of the box. That rule is a speed up rule.
Here is a link to the rule, it is too long to post here.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/batter_6.jsp
Any of you "armchair umpires" up to the challenge?
2007-03-14 15:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by br549 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is absolutely no rule against switching sides during an at-bat. I just read the official rules.
And by the way, the "one-foot" rule can be negated by calling "Time" and having the umpire grant it. At that point, the batter may completely leave the batter's box but not the dirt area around home plate. The only thing that prevents a batter from switching during an at-bat is the fact that the helmet must have ear protection on the side facing the pitcher. If the batter has a double-eared helmet, they theoretically can switch.
2007-03-15 03:23:43 · answer #2 · answered by Bigfoot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a veteran Umpire I'll tell you that you can switch back and forth as long as the pitcher is not in the position to pitch.The rule about 1 foot remaining in the batters box is for High-School.I have been umping for over 20 years,thousands of games and not once have I see it done.
2007-03-15 04:53:54 · answer #3 · answered by Ricky Lee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The batter can switch batter's boxes any time he wants, as long as the pitcher is not in position and ready to pitch.
Don't believe the nonsense about not being able to switch if you have two strikes. Anyone who claims there is such a prohibition won't be able to cite a rule because there is none.
2007-03-14 19:45:45 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He can switch anytime. I should know I am a switch hitter too.
2007-03-14 18:25:11 · answer #5 · answered by cowee88 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dan has it right. While technically there is no rule against switching sides during an at-bat, MLB has a rule that prevents hitters from completely leaving the batters box (one foot must remain in it). So for all intensive purposes, unless they change pitchers during the at-bat, your stuck on the same side.
2007-03-14 17:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by mekounknown 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋
I do believe the rule is you can switch up until you have 2 strikes, then you are locked in. And as far as having to keep one foot in the batters box - bull!!! Some of today's players have to get out of the box after every pitch to adjust their helmet, sweatbands, sleeves, batting gloves, cup, and whatever other part of themselves they can touch. Human rain delays... and people wonder why a game can go on forever.
2007-03-15 01:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by hankshammers 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Daniel is right and all your switch hitters and umpires are wrong if you're thinking MLB.
You can't switch after you take a pitch. You can switch the next time.
2007-03-14 21:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by Jdog64_98 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
The batter can decide which side of the plate he wants to bat from BEFORE the first pitch. After the pitch is thrown, the batter has to remain on that side of the plate for his at-bat.
2007-03-14 23:59:22 · answer #9 · answered by J-Far 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Yes as long as he puts on his batting helmet backwards so the opposite ear is protected.
2007-03-14 15:48:38 · answer #10 · answered by The Man in the Yellow Hat 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋