Sonofanump;1465623 wrote:Switch-pitchers must choose which way they will begin pitching before they start. Then, batters will select with which hand they will bat. The batter and the pitcher are each allowed one switch during the plate appearance, after the first pitch is thrown.
This isn't correct.
The official MLB rule on the books is:
Rule 8.01 (f) A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runnersthe hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove
on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to
pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the
inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an
injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he
has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch
with the hand from which he has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the
opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any
change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief.
The pitcher and batter can each change once PRIOR to the first pitch of the at-bat being delivered. But are not allowed to switch after the first pitch. I believe the ruling from this situation was that the pitcher gets the final switch (so the batter would have to switch first if they are going to switch...when the pitcher switches, it's over and the game then proceeds). But I don't believe that is officially on the book.
