I know this has been discussed before on this board, but I want to approach it from another angle.
The question is: Should kids be encouraged to hit from both sides if they have the ability?
I fully understand arguements against, and they are legitimate.
My kid bats left, and for the last three years has batted right against lefties. His coach this year does not believe in switch hitting (though has not forbidden him to do it.)
Game two nights ago, all three of his at bats were against lefties. He went 2 for 3, hit the ball hard twice and third time just got under it for a long fly ball to right.
Then last night at practice the coach told me about his aversion to switch hitting, saying basically it is a waste of time because it is almost impossible to do well - the swing is hard enough to get good at from one side, next to impossible from both.
We argued (he's a friend - not a problem). My argument is that if my kid will do better against lefties if he bats right than he would do batting left, why not?
Also, his batting coaches over the years have ALL told him to refuse to stop switching when coaches tell him to.
His coach says there are very few if any (at least since Mickey Mantle) real examples of true switch hitters that have equal BA and power from both sides.
My point is - even if that is true -- isn't the real question the one I ask in the first place? If the player will do better switching against oppo handed pitchers, why not?
This assumes that the performance from the natural side won't slip due to the practice time from the switch side, of course.
So - I'll ask here: what is wrong with my argument, and should I insist if the coach tries to stop my kid from switching?
Context: he's a very good hitter, always .500+ with good power, last year hit .500 from the right side but only had 12 at bats, this year is 2 for 4 against righties.
Very intersted in what you all think. Thanks.
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