Ambidextrous Pitcher

An ambidextrous pitcher has the very rare ability by a pitcher to throw both left-handed and right-handed. This would potentially allow a pitcher to always have the platoon advantage against a right-handed or left-handed batter or even a switch hitter. Against a switch hitter the pitcher needs to commit to a side and visually indicate it to the umpire and to the batter, while the batter can then choose from which side he wants to bat.

When ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte began pitching in the minor leagues in 2008, he caused the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation to create a new rule regarding ambidextrous pitchers which later was adapted into the official baseball rules as Rule 8.01. It states that a "pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitching to the batter."

While some ambidextrous pitchers in baseball history only occasionally threw with both hands, Venditte has done so for many years, going all the way back to little league. [1]

Ambidextrous Pitchers in the Majors

• Tod Brynan
• Larry Corcoran
• Elton Chamberlain
• Greg Harris
• Tony Mullane
• Moxie Manuel
• Pat Venditte
• George Wheeler

Other Major-Leaguers With Ambidextrous Ability

• Boo Ferriss
• George Brett

Ambidextrous Pitchers in the Negro Leagues

• ? Beaumont (lesser Negro Leagues)
• Horace Cole (lesser Negro Leagues)
• Ulysses Greene
• Larry Kimbrough