To Switch or Not?

My 8th grader is currently working on hitting from the left side. He has always batted right-handed but because Mickey Mantle is his favorite player he expressed an interest in switching. His coach watched him and was surprised to see that his mechanics were much better from the left. He has more power from the right, but his coach believes the power will come when he gets more comfortable on the left.
The coach feels his comfort level will rise(along with the power) as he gets more at bats during games. He does a great job during soft-toss and in the cages, but there is nothing like facing a live arm.
My oldest son threw right and batted left. He always complained about left-handed pitchers giving him fits. However, he hit as many homeruns off of left handers as rightys. His freshman year coach said it was all in his head.
I hope my experience as the "mom" helps. Another thing was following the advice of the our sons' coach concerning their hitting.

"Every member of our baseball team at West Point became a general; this proves the value of team sports." --General Omar Bradley

My 06 switch hit from the time he was 7 up to last year, when the coaches turned him RH-only. For him, it was the BEST year he ever had at the plate--for both avg and power. He was able to concentrate on his "best" side, even though probably 75% of his AB's has always been from the left side. My point is, let the player develop his predominant side, first (and a .500 avg vs RHP says this has happened), then work on the opposite side.

I Timothy 4:8