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The value of a switch hitter in baseball is great, but what about the value of a switch pitcher. Imagine a pitcher that can throw to hitters on either side of the dish. That's what the Staten Island Yankees have in Pat Venditte, a 22 year-old switch pitcher. Venditte was drafted by the Yankees in 2007 and again 2008 after he returned to Creighton University for his senior year.
Venditte's first minor league appearance came last night in the 9th inning of the Cyclones-Yankees game. When facing the last Cyclones hitter of the night, things got interesting because Cyclones DH Ralph Henriquez is a switch hitter. As you can see in the video above, Henriquez repeatedly switches which side he's batting from and Venditte switches the arm he's throwing with following Henriquez' moves.
Eventually, Henriquez decides to bat from the right side and Venditte throws with his right hand and strikes Henriquez out. You can see the full at bat in the video after the jump.
And in case you're wondering what kind of glove Venditte uses, it's a special 6 finger glove with two webs that allows him to switch it from hand to hand.
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That's great. The pitcher has the advantage though because the batter has to set before the pitcher can throw.
awesome!
He reminds me of jim abbott
he reminds me of sidd finch
That is incredible. Re: [1]'s point, can't the batterl ask for time and switch sides if he wants, like if a pitcher is standing after setting up for what seems like too long. The pitcher is at risk of balking once he sets though, right? I really have no idea, which is why I'm asking.
Regardless, this is very cool.
How the F does he remind you of Jim Abbott?? Because he has a left hand?
Never mind ruling on the switch hitter/switch pitcher issue, the New York/Penn league needs to address the serious issue of uniform malfunction.
Please watch the second video, with particular attention to the following times: 1:38, 3:04, 3:32, 3:49, 3:57 and 5.17.
I need to consult the record book, but I don't think there's ever been a triple tug like those seen in the 25 seconds between 3:32 and 3:57.
The video doesn't work anymore :|
I think it still works if you refresh?