How valuable is switch hitting in high school and college baseball?
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Any mildly succesful switch hitter can be an asset to any team. The key is to get better on the new side so that the hitter can become consistently productive.
I agree, but remember, you'll have to work twice as hard. Which means more soft toss, more tee work, more time in the cage..I think you get the point.
Two reasons to switch. (1) You have speed, or(2) you have power.
Without the two you are more likely to just have a hugh BA differential between the two sides that do not justify trying to avoid breaking pitches going away from you.
Without the two you are more likely to just have a hugh BA differential between the two sides that do not justify trying to avoid breaking pitches going away from you.
Two theories here-- if you a hitter who is highly successful, regardless of the side he hits from, why mess with it-- getting him to learn to hit from both sides can screw up what he is already successful at.
Old school theory-- "Don't try and fix what ain't broken"
Old school theory-- "Don't try and fix what ain't broken"
devilraydude76:
Your question was how valuable is switch hitting in high school and college baseball. My answer would be not as valued as it is in MLB. Our HS coach, as one example, insists that my son bat left-handed against left-handed pitching in game situations even though he has a terrible average [under .200] when batting left-handed against left-handed pitching. His average in Legion ball the past two years batting right-handed against left-handed pitching is a little above .200 so the difference is not so statistically significant that it is justified either way. He is a natural left-handed hitter even though he throws right-handed. I have spoken with several college coaches about my son and the fact that he is a switch hitter has not even come up in the conversation. They all assume he is a lefthanded hitter even though we usually put switch hitter on the questionaire if that is an option. [probably talked to the high school coach or something. I truly don't know.]
Before you start trying to switch hit, you need to consider what the other posters are saying and ask yourself some serious questions. It will take more batting practice time to work on both sides of the plate. How much additional time are you willing to committ to do this? Is there a left-handed pitcher somewhere close that is willing to throw BP to you or your son? Will the HS coach and/or Summer coach give you/your son a chance to hit both ways in game situations? How comfortable do you feel on the other side of the plate and how long do you think it might take you to begin to feel comfortable? How old are you and do you have a hitting coach or someone who can watch your "new swing" and help you out before bad habits begin to take hold?
Whatever your dcision, I wish you the best of luck. My son still works on his right-handed batting at every batting practice situation and game situation he can.
TW344
Your question was how valuable is switch hitting in high school and college baseball. My answer would be not as valued as it is in MLB. Our HS coach, as one example, insists that my son bat left-handed against left-handed pitching in game situations even though he has a terrible average [under .200] when batting left-handed against left-handed pitching. His average in Legion ball the past two years batting right-handed against left-handed pitching is a little above .200 so the difference is not so statistically significant that it is justified either way. He is a natural left-handed hitter even though he throws right-handed. I have spoken with several college coaches about my son and the fact that he is a switch hitter has not even come up in the conversation. They all assume he is a lefthanded hitter even though we usually put switch hitter on the questionaire if that is an option. [probably talked to the high school coach or something. I truly don't know.]
Before you start trying to switch hit, you need to consider what the other posters are saying and ask yourself some serious questions. It will take more batting practice time to work on both sides of the plate. How much additional time are you willing to committ to do this? Is there a left-handed pitcher somewhere close that is willing to throw BP to you or your son? Will the HS coach and/or Summer coach give you/your son a chance to hit both ways in game situations? How comfortable do you feel on the other side of the plate and how long do you think it might take you to begin to feel comfortable? How old are you and do you have a hitting coach or someone who can watch your "new swing" and help you out before bad habits begin to take hold?
Whatever your dcision, I wish you the best of luck. My son still works on his right-handed batting at every batting practice situation and game situation he can.
TW344
It has no value unless you are able to hit with a good average from both sides.
TW has given you great advice, not much to be added. Like TW, I have seen HS coaches who will not let a hitter hit from the other side. They don't want to take a chance on reduced output at the plate. Select coaches are often more focused on long term player development and are more likely to allow it or even encourage it.
If you are a pitcher, though, you may want to think twice before exposing your throwing arm.
TW has given you great advice, not much to be added. Like TW, I have seen HS coaches who will not let a hitter hit from the other side. They don't want to take a chance on reduced output at the plate. Select coaches are often more focused on long term player development and are more likely to allow it or even encourage it.
If you are a pitcher, though, you may want to think twice before exposing your throwing arm.
