If a Switch hitter goes up to bat right handed and after one pitch can he switch to left?
2007-06-08 11:37:28 · 10 answers · asked by Jim W 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
screwing the pitcher up is of NO concern to the hitter. for the most part, the pitcher has the advantage so the batter uses whatever is legal to take some of that advantage away. calling "time" and stepping out is a perfect example.
as far as switching sides, the batter may switch sides at any time before the pitcher comes "set" as stated earlier. the batter would be better served to call for time first, but that's a matter of procedure as the umpire will call time anytime the batter leaves the batters box for any reason. in any case, this hardly ever happens. i can only imagine a batter doing this if the pitcher is changed during his at bat (which does occasionally occur,) and the new pitcher is a lefty where the old pitcher was a righty, for example. there have also been switch hitters who prefer to hit from their strongest side regardless of the pitchers throwing arm in certain cases. for example there are a number of switch hitters who bat right handed against Tim Wakefield simply because they feel more comfortable and don't see any advantage to swinging from the left side.
2007-06-08 12:42:51 · answer #1 · answered by Wyatt 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure they can, but they wouldn't unless a pitching change is made. Its seen as an advantage to bat right handed against a lefty and vice-versa. Thats why guys switch hit to begin with, to give them an advantage over the pitcher no matter which arm he throws with.
2007-06-08 20:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by ajn4664_ksu 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the quintillionth time, YES. He can switch after two pitches. After three pitches. He can switch on any count.
The only restriction is that he can't switch boxes while the pitcher is in position and ready to pitch. In position and ready means the pitcher is on the rubber. It DOES NOT refer to the pitcher coming to the set or starting his windup.
2007-06-09 03:26:17 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes! It's not common but it happens - usually only when the pitcher is replaced in the middle of an an-bat (from RH to LH or from LH to RH)
2007-06-08 18:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by maddog27271 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can switch as many times as he wants, as long as he doesn't do it once the pitcher is in a set position.
2007-06-08 18:41:05 · answer #5 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes but it's probably one of baseball's unwritten rules that you shouldn't do it, kind of like what arod did (shouting "mine" as a baserunner on a pop fly). it probably screws the pitcher up
2007-06-08 18:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes he can.
2007-06-08 21:41:12 · answer #7 · answered by spalffy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only when there is a pitching change.
2007-06-08 18:50:44 · answer #8 · answered by swagov 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
yes but they won't
2007-06-08 20:00:56 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure can.
2007-06-09 00:37:06 · answer #10 · answered by Exile Huscoon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋