Switch Hitting

quote:

Originally posted by Metropop:
I know alot of the SH's in the big leagues were developed in the minors due to speed, but is there some rule of thumb that is used for a timetable or starting point for kids?

Basically, how early is too early? The next question is what positions in the field are typically positions played by switch hitters?

I would say the earlier the better, but I really don't see a need to be a switch hitter unless you just can't handle either a LHP or RHP. The problem being, they will have to do twice the work as someone that hits only one way. I know Ted Williams thought the same way.

As far as what positions do they play, it wouldn't matter what they do as a hitter, it would matter which way they threw. Leftys are going to be limited to OF, 1B, P and possibly Catcher. Rightys can play anywhere.

Lefty catcher?

I've help several righhanders never a lefty to switch. It pretty much has taken two years. One year batting entirely on the leftside only and then another year learning to switch. The youngest was a 9 yr old. In each case though the player ended up prefering the left side. Mainly I think because through HS they just see so few LHP.

The HS players who have learned to switch are almost always one of the best hitters on their team Probably due to the dedication and extra practice. The older players who have learned or tried to learn SH has been entirely a mental makeup thing whether they could be devoted to it enough to make it work.

The college coaches I have spoke to about it like the Idea of keeping a player in the line up and being able to avoid a speciality pitcher for at least one guy in the line up. Those who didn't like a SH felt like they just never had a good one that really helped.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
Lefty catcher?

Yep! The're rare, but they are out there. There really isn't a good reason why they can't Catch, other than the mitts cost a small fortune.

quote:

Originally posted by powertoallfields:

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
Lefty catcher?

Yep! The're rare, but they are out there. There really isn't a good reason why they can't Catch, other than the mitts cost a small fortune.

Other than I'm gonna steal 3rd on them all night!

quote:

Other than I'm gonna steal 3rd on them all night!

You've never seen anyone picked off of 1st base???

quote:

Originally posted by powertoallfields:
You've never seen anyone picked off of 1st base???

The majority of hitters are RH. People get picked off 1B due to a clear opening for the C to throw.

There aren't any LH catchers for a reason.

Redbird,

You are correct as far as the main reason there aren't any MLB Catchers, but in little league and even through High School, if the kid has all the intangibles of a good Catcher it is very possible.

I'm not saying it is the best thing to do, but it can be done. Would it be more difficult? Yep! But it is possible.

quote:

Originally posted by powertoallfields:

quote:

Other than I'm gonna steal 3rd on them all night!

You've never seen anyone picked off of 1st base???

We had a lefty catcher on our fall team.Granted,it was a 9-12 year old league but you didn't dare mess around at first because he would burn you.

He even got a few at third but I doubt he will be able to do that when he gets older.


My son has messed around with switch hitting since he was 8.Would you think that with him being more of a speed player(as well as power,of course he is young and just having fun) it would be advisable to keep working it in so that 1 day he could make a full time switch.He loves doing it as well but has yet to do it in a game,just bp.(he is only 10 now)

quote:

My son has messed around with switch hitting since he was 8.Would you think that with him being more of a speed player(as well as power,of course he is young and just having fun) it would be advisable to keep working it in so that 1 day he could make a full time switch.He loves doing it as well but has yet to do it in a game,just bp.(he is only 10 now)

There's no reason to stop doing it if he's already been doing it and enjoys doing it. Just be aware that the higher he moves up, the more work, have to do to be successful and he will have to do twice the work if he is a switch hitter.