| My son, who is in high school, recently attended a | | | | waste anymore time tiring this they think. |
| baseball showcase with four hundred other invited | | | | A few college and minor league players suddenly |
| players. To stand out in this large crowd, you had | | | | realize what an advantage there is in switch |
| to put up some great stats. My son was | | | | hitting. They give it a shot, trying to save or jump |
| performing well, in the upper ten or fifteen | | | | start their careers. If you are a right handed |
| percent of each category, but he was not turning | | | | hitter and move to the left side, you are |
| heads. The last baseball drill was hitting. | | | | automatically two steps closer to first base. And |
| Each player got ten swings from the pitching | | | | if you have ever been at bat and seen a nasty |
| machine. My son did good from the right side of | | | | curve ball coming in, you know you would be |
| the plate. Then the professional scout who was | | | | better off on the other side of the plate. Those |
| running the showcase told him, "OK, switch to the | | | | are the two main advantages, and I mean big |
| left side". All the college recruiters and pro scouts | | | | advantages, of switch hitting. |
| standing behind home plate looked up and took | | | | Mickey Mantle is the greatest switch hitter to |
| notice. They grabbed their pens and started | | | | have ever played the game. His dad taught him to |
| making notes. This was what turned heads for | | | | switch hit at a young age. The Mick did not want |
| my son. He was the only switch hitter out of four | | | | to do it. He tried to talk his dad into just letting |
| hundred invitees. | | | | him hit from the right side, but his dad would not |
| Switch hitting is such a valuable tool; almost | | | | give in. In his major league career, Mickey had 164 |
| everyone will agree. Yet there are very few | | | | home runs from the right side, and thanks to his |
| switch hitters because it takes a lot of work and | | | | dad, 372 from the left side. |
| time. Most hitters feel they need to work on their | | | | Obviously, starting to switch hit at a young age is |
| natural swing, not start something new from the | | | | the best time. But like those college and minor |
| other side of the plate. They might switch over | | | | league players, it is never to late to start. And it |
| and try a few swings, but they feel awkward, | | | | will help you turn heads. |
| and seldom have success at the start. No need to | | | | |