A's call up ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte

[Axeman33]

This is something to see.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2015/06/...-pat-venditte/

The Oakland A’s have just called up ambidextrous pitcher, Pat Venditte. Venditte is the first switch pitcher in the MLB since Greg Harris in 1995. Venditte was drafted in the 40th round of the 2007 draft, and drafted again by the Yankees in the 20th round in 2008. Venditte signed with the A’s in this last offseason.

In 33 innings this season, Pat Venditte has a 1.36 ERA and a WHIP just a tick below 1.000. In his earlier minor league career, Venditte was primarily a closer, but has only recorded two saves since 2010. He’s been pretty successful pitching ambidextrously. Overall, he carries a 2.39 ERA in 417 innings pitched in his minor league career. In that span, he’s also struck out 464 batters. Venditte also made one start for Triple-A Nashville this season, but the A’s have already stated that he will exclusively be pitching from the bullpen.

A’S CALL UP AMBIDEXTROUS PITCHER, PAT VENDITTE

In 2008, MLB introduced the “Pat Venditte Rule” stating: “The pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitching to the batter. Engaging the rubber with the glove on a particular hand is considered a definitive commitment to which arm he will throw with. The batter will then choose which side of the plate he will bat from.” The rule also states that, like batters, the pitcher cannot switch during the at bat.

Here's a link to a video from him in his minors days and the confusion this used to bring before MLB created a rule to offset this.

[Zorro]

After a 20 minute delay he gets the K.. Nice!!

Great video find Axe!!

I can throw with both arms, but to pitch with my left would be impossible.. That is a talented human!!

[2014olympicgold]

Pretty interesting. Would take twice as long to warm up, twice as difficult to master a pitch, but you technically can last twice as long. He couldn’t just learn a slider on his right, he’d have to learn it on this left to not help the batter out. I like how he has a special glove where he doesn’t have to switch it up if he switches arms. That’s cool.

[2014olympicgold]

I remember seeing this guy in the minors and wondered why this wasn't more common. Switch hitters have been around forever and are very valuable in the lineup, even though it's very rare for a switch hitter to be equally as effective from both sides.

An ambidextrous pitcher could fill two rotation spots or be a lefty specialist in the 8th and then your right handed closer in the 9th. He could warm up the other arm between innings. That would be so awesome.

Or why not an ambidextrous knuckleballer? He could fill your entire rotation! lol

Where would he warm up after pitching? If you’re in the game as a pitcher don’t you have to go to the dugout? Or is that just the tradition? But ya, I’m really surprised a kid isn’t bread to pitch with both arms. There’s crazy parents out there, you’d think one would force the 8yr old to use both

[Godin]

Great Stuff!!!! Love it.

Just like hockey, home team should get the final change.