The Advantages of Ambidextrous Pitching over using just one arm: With the new MLB rule limiting pitcher-changes to once every 3 batters click here fore rule, some smart organizations (Marlins come to mind with the signing of Pat Venditte) will figure out switch-pitching is a good tool to have on the bench.
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Increased confidence from being able to switch to “other side”. Dad always has said I am the only pitcher allowed to "relieve myself" on the mound ha ha. While that would be crazy, I can always switch if I don't "feel it" pitching on one side -- and usually do!
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Temporary arm rest while pitching from the “other side” against the next batter or batters. Ever notice you can do a bunch of push ups in a row, but eventually you temporarily tire out? But once you rest for a minute or so, you can do a lot more push ups, right? Well, pitchers get tired too. Once I rest the other side, I feel rejuvenated and can pitch again from the other side.
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I pitch a batter from one side the first and second time through the lineup, and then pitch a batter from the “other side” the third time through the batting order. I read the MLB is more and more transitioning from a "starting pitcher" type of game to a "bull penning" type of game. Well, I can last twice as long for any manager who wants to limit the exposure to a batter to only twice. This link is an interesting article about 2018 post-season successes relating to "bull penning" .
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I have double the pitches for the opposing team to master = 2 Times 4-seam, 2-seam, split finger, 12-6 curve, slider, and change up. I definitely have more endurance on the mound: A few years ago, I pitched ~150 pitches over a weekend. That is not to say I have unlimited endurance. Pitching uses both legs (albeit differently), but as I become more fit, I have more endurance.
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My body maintains natural symmetry as it develops. This has huge benefits extending beyond baseball.
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If the opposing team gains momentum from a hit or hits, I just switch sides and watch as the other team’s momentum totally stops.
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I learn pitching mechanics and techniques on one-side, and then I apply them to the other side.
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So having two arms is like an insurance policy -- I always have a backup arm. If I have an arm injury or sore arm from too much infield work, I just limit my pitching on that side. At Cary, NC during TEAM USA, they pitched me two days in a row. The second day, my left was spent so I pitched righty-only.
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I love the attention I get, but sometimes hear it's just as a gimmick. This is not a gimmick. If managed correctly, this is a competitive tool. I am humbled that Perfect Game in 2019 called me a "legit both-handed pitcher touching 82 with both sides". My long term goal is to touch 100mph, and I will touch 90 by this year-end 2020. I already run-n-gunned 90 summer 2019.
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I play 3rd base during long tournaments. My left arm remains fresh while others' arms are tired due to position playing over several games.
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New MLB Rule Changes in 2020 require that a pitcher stay in for at least 3 batters (click here for explanation) -- which means I can switch while other pitchers must ignore splits stats for at least 3 batters at a time. This is a significant advantage to switch pitching. Though at my age, pitching lefty has an advantage over pitching righty if for no other reason because batters see lefty pitching a lot less. But, the third time I go through the line up, I usually start switching to more righty for several reasons.
Side note: It is funny how some coaches become overwhelmed thinking they must worry about which side I pitch, and a scout told my parents some coaches just don't want to deal with it. But based on my 10-years of switch pitching experience, the only smart strategy is to understand 1) the individual batter I am facing, 2) my strengths at that particular time in the game, and only after then 3) make a decision which side to use at that time. Of course, only I have the inherent ability to know how I feel at that moment in the game, but the coach can --and should for what it is worth coming from me -- keep stats and watch each opposing batter to help me with the other half of the equation. Background: I usually pitch lefty if I face a lefty hitter or if there is a guy on first base, unless some other reason is overwhelming.
