I’m sure most people know what a switch-hitter is, but for those of you who don’t, a switch-hitter is a batter that can hit right-handed and left-handed. This is useful because right-handed hitters hit better against right-handed pitchers and vice versa. There are also people who are switch-pitchers. Although much more rare, there are a few pitchers who pitch right-handed against righties and left-handed against lefties. Recently, in a minor league game featuring the Staton Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones a switch-pitcher faced a switch-hitter. For several minutes the two went back and forth to determine which way they would pitch and bat. When it began to take too long, the pitcher had to warm up both arms AGAIN! Eventually, the umpire ruled in favor of the pitcher and the hitter struck out (and not a pretty one) to end the game. This was a terrible ruling by the umpire. He should have let the madness continue. In the future, this can be ended by the pitcher sucking it up and pitching, but to see stubborness like this, I give him credit. Click on the link above to check out this must-see video.
Overall Grade: B+
