Switch pitchers in Little League Minors

[Guest Paul]

Little League, minors/b-ball: what’s the rule for switch pitchers? I was told that while the batter has to declare a side for the at-bat, the pitcher can switch sides between pitches on the same batter. My understanding was that like the batter, the pitcher must declare a side and stick with it for the entire at-bat. Although he can switch sides between batters. 

As a side note, I’ve never in my life seen a kid who can switch pitch. It’s pretty incredible to watch! Just a shame he’s on the opponent’s team, hahaha. 

[Aging_Arbiter]

First, I'm impressed that you have come across an ambidextrous pitcher!  To the best of my knowledge, once the batter enters the box, the pitcher must then declare, and finish that batter from that side, while the batter can change as long as time is out, play is relaxed and/or the pitcher isn't ready to deliver. 

But I'm sure we'll have a rule cite shortly.

[beerguy55]

((8.01(f )) Ambidextrous Pitchers A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief

[The Man in Blue]

So he could pitch on land and in the water!?
 

I don’t know LL specifically, but usually it is the other way around (or is it ambidextrous?): the pitcher must declare and cannot switch, but the hitter may switch at will (not during a pitch obviously).

I have seen one ... and it was in an 8th grade softball regional.  Impressive.

[Guest Paul]

2 hours ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

First, I'm impressed that you have come across an ambidextrous pitcher!  To the best of my knowledge, once the batter enters the box, the pitcher must then declare, and finish that batter from that side, while the batter can change as long as time is out, play is relaxed and/or the pitcher isn't ready to deliver. 

But I'm sure we'll have a rule cite shortly.

Not as impressed as I am! In 20+ years of playing and coaching I have never, ever seen an ambdiextrous pitcher. And this kid was good - easily the best pitcher in our division across 14 teams. 8 friggin years old and tops the 10yos. Unfortunately I learned tonight that he’s the coach’s kid, so doubt I’m gonna get my hands on him, haha.

[Guest Paul]

2 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

((8.01(f )) Ambidextrous Pitchers A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief

Exactly what I needed. Thanks man. There’s a discussion in the coach group and no one has given a specific rule either way. We play the switch pitcher’s team tomorrow and I wanted to be sure before I raise the issue. 

[Guest Paul]

18 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

So he could pitch on land and in the water!?
 

I don’t know LL specifically, but usually it is the other way around (or is it ambidextrous?): the pitcher must declare and cannot switch, but the hitter may switch at will (not during a pitch obviously).

I have seen one ... and it was in an 8th grade softball regional.  Impressive.

I told my wife last night that I was going out to scope our competition. I actually went to check this kid out, hahaha. He’s something else. Switch hitter as well, and a fantastic shortstop. I took a couple videos because I’m sure this kid’s gonna be something great when he’s older. Might try to convince dad to combine forces so I can get a crack at him!

[Senor Azul]

The Little League rule governing ambidextrous pitchers was added in 2013 (about 5 years after MLB added their ambidextrous pitcher rule known as the Pat Venditte rule).

[BigVic69]

Rule 8 The Pitcher 8.01 (f)
Rule 6 The Batter 6.06 (b), this says when a batter wohld be out and my elimination when he is not out.

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