NEWS: The Pitcher Who Goes Both Ways

CULTURE: The Pitcher Who Goes Both Ways

Though the switch-hitting batter has been a mainstay of baseball for over a century, there have been only a handful of ambidextrous pitchers, all from the 19th Century. Perhaps in this era of increased baseball specialization, that might change. Right now, however, Creighton’s Pat Vindette is the only NCAA pitcher who throws with either hand. His college success is starting to make people notice.

Venditte specializes in a 91 mile-per-hour fastball with his right hand, and a sidearm slider with his left. Since neither arm gets too much wear, he is able to pitch on little rest. He recently pitched five innings of shutout baseball, and turned around two days later and threw an inning in each game of a double header.

His unique abilities have also presented him with some hurdles as well. In addition to the 700 dollar glove he has imported from Japan, he also has some difficulties when faced with a switch-hitter.

I've always said that if I ever have boys I'm going to break their right arm when they are 2 to make sure they grow up left-handed. But if this guy can do what he's doing, maybe I won't have to.

If you're going to resort to bone breaking, at least break both arms so they can play the piano with their feet.

People who play piano with their feet don't make $126 Million over 7 years.

Who needs $126 million when you have monkey feet?

With $126 million you can buy actual monkeys.

Thats awesome. I tried to teach my eight yr old to throw both ways. He even played his first yr of tball left handed but he seems to be right handed now and throws way better with it. I am going to see what I can do with it this year but will probably consentrate on making a great catcher instead. Oh he also switch hits. I know I am insane but I love baseball

Screw you! MONKEY FEET!

I truly think you can manipulate them either way when they are young if you take the time and the moms complaints

Did you tie his arm behind his back? Because I thought of doing that too. More humane that way.

Earl Woods would be so proud of this conversation.

No just put his glove on his right hand

With staples or glue?

glue if that is what it takes but my boy threw with his left as long as something was on his right maybe even glue

I hate my dad for not making me do this.

Anyway, i read the article in the NYTimes, too. They had to bust out the rule-book when he faced a switch-hitter... took'em 20 minutes to figure it out.

my son is 6 months i can attest he hits me harder with the left in the eye when he fights sleep then his right so im hoping for the lefty but i am WAYYYYYYY to scared of his mom to try anything to minipulate the natural developement. Otherwise I may end up left nutted.

so what, there was at least 6 pitchers in the Major Leagues that have already done that, Larry Corcoran, Elton Chamberlain, Greg Harris, Tony Mullane, Moxie Manuel and George Wheeler

While you're at it... give the kid a British accent; no matter how homely he is with his oddly malformed right arm (courtesy of you) he will get laid left and right because American chicks dig British accents. That's a fact and I would put a link to prove it but I don't think I have to since it's pretty much common scientific knowledge.

WOW 6?!??!? Total?? In all of the history of baseball?!??!

Shit. that's a ton.

this article should not exist..

Only one of which was in the last 100 years and NONE of which switched off with every batter.

Only one in the past 100 years, though. And we don't have video of him online.

The second the kid gets drafted, he won't be doing that either.

I hope he stays far the fuck away from the Leo Mazzones of pitching coach-dom. They'll wreck that kid faster than a starter for the Cubs.

I've always wondered why Billy Wagner doesn't do this....he's not naturally left handed, but maybe he just sucks with his right hand.

If he makes it to the majors I would imagine he would end up as a reliever, there's more value in his particular abilities there. Sure, it would be cool to have a starter that can throw with either hand, but think about how much you can save your pen in the late innings with this guy.

Which was already pointed out in the article, captain redundant. Congratulations on your googling capabilities! There were also pitchers who were great hitters a century ago, but if one came around now it would be a bit noteworthy.

really it's better to just encourage them to use both hands.

Fuck lefties, I'm ambidextrous!