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I'm not sure you're allowed to. I'd have to look it up, but I think you'd be called out for crossing the homeplate. Although, even if you were allowed to, I don't think you'd have to time to reset your stance and get a good swing at the ball.

How fast does a cricket ball come in from the pitcher/bowler?

Having watched the video now, any baseball player doing that would've stepped on homeplate and been called out. No way you could jump over homeplate and get in your stance quick enough.

Ugly is correct. Such a move would be an illegal action and an automatic out.

Also, "fragile" and "audacious".

Huh. Has there ever been a professional switch pitcher?

Lol switch pitcher.

Switch hitting is easier for lefties, apparently. I used to hit left, throw right; so theoretically I could have learned to switch. I was neither good enough nor interested enough to make the effort, though.

Karma would dictate that he'd have no interest in sports.

I am so easily amused.

I know of many lefties in my parents generation that were semi-ambidexterious. Many said it was because in school, they were slapped for doing anything with their left hands and learned to use their right for most things.

I'm lazy and don't go as much as I could. It is a beautiful park, though, and I love going to games.

I don't notice the panhandlers. Guess I'm just used to shutting them out.

I had a panhandler ask me one time for five bucks so he could go into a club and have a beer. I told him if I had five bucks I'd go.

It was pride weekend this weekend so we talked alot about pitchers and catchers.

Why do Ugly's posts all have a big space at the start?

...it's not very appealing to look at.

Yeah. While it's not like I've read the whole MLB rulebook or anything, my understanding is that if the batter leaves the batter's box before the pitcher begins his throw (perhaps even steps on the plate), the pitcher isn't allowed to pitch (ie: you can step back, stretch, grab your crotch, spit, etc, and the pitcher can't toss one in while you're doing it). Once the batter is "set", the pitcher may pitch, at which point the batter can't leave the box. Not sure what the penalty is if he does, but it's a violation of the rules.

I would assume that crossing the plate would be considered leaving the batter's box. I believe, however, that a switch hitter can switch at any point. He just has to step into an "set" into the appropriate batter's box. Point being that you can't "fool" the pitcher into thinking you're batting one way. He's going to know prior to starting his pitch which side you're hitting on.

I just remember from pitching in little league that there were specific rules to the timing of pitchers and batters. The pitcher is allowed to move around (stretch, scratch himself, spit, etc) all he wants. But once he puts a foot on the rubber, he's considered to be starting his throw. At that point, he cannot make any move that looks like he's throwing without actually throwing (exception being if a runner tries to steal a base). His movements are restricted at that point, and he's subject to a penalty (baulk) if he moves incorrectly. So the usual progression is that the pitcher mills about on the mound (scratching and spitting), while the batter is getting himself ready. Once the batter gets positioned in the box and is "set", then the pitcher steps onto the rubber. At that point, he's indicated that he's going to pitch, and must either pitch, or make a clear movement to step off the rubber without pitching (like if he calls a conference with the catcher, wants to talk to the coach, or just wants to scratch himself some more).

If the pitcher steps off the rubber without pitching, the batter is free to also step out of the batter's box, allowing this little dance to continue.

Yeah. Baseball is boring. Not so much as Cricket, but close...