View source for Pat Venditte

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name        = Pat Venditte
|image       = Pat Venditte on August 17, 2015.jpg
|image_size  = 250
|caption     = Venditte pitching left-handed for the [[2015 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics in 2015]]
|position    = [[Relief pitcher]]
|team        = 
|number      = 
|bats        = Left
|throws      = Switch
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1985|6|30}}
|birth_place = [[Omaha, Nebraska]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate   = June 5
|debutyear   = 2015
|debutteam   = Oakland Athletics
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate   = August 18
|finalyear   = 2020
|finalteam   = Miami Marlins
|statleague  = MLB
|stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value  = 2–2
|stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
|stat2value  = 4.73
|stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s 
|stat3value  = 58
|teams       = 
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|2015}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2016}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2016}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|2018}})
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|2019}})
* [[Miami Marlins]] ({{mlby|2020}})
}}
'''Patrick Michael Venditte Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ɛ|n|ˈ|d|ɛ|t|i}}; born June 30, 1985) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Oakland Athletics]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]], [[Seattle Mariners]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], [[San Francisco Giants]], and [[Miami Marlins]]. After attending [[Creighton University]], Venditte was drafted by the [[New York Yankees]] in 2008. He signed with the Athletics as a free agent before the 2015 season and made his MLB debut that year. 

Venditte was a [[switch pitcher]], capable of pitching proficiently with both arms. He was recognized as the only professional pitcher who was able to do this.<ref name="OSC 1">{{Cite news|title=Mitchell, Baisley, Almonte Pace RiverDogs to 4–2 Wins|publisher=Our Sports Central|date=April 10, 2009|access-date=April 14, 2009|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3803592}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519381 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702014837/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519381 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 2, 2009 |title=Pat Venditte Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights &#124; MiLB.com Stats |publisher=[[Minor League Baseball]] |access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref> Venditte's rare ability to pitch with either arm required both [[Major League Baseball|Major]] and [[Minor League Baseball]] to create a rule for [[ambidextrous]] pitchers, known colloquially as the "Pat Venditte Rule". This rule essentially requires any ambidextrous pitcher to declare which hand he will use to pitch to a batter before the at-bat starts and to throw with that hand through the entire at-bat (unless he is injured during the at-bat).

==Early life==
Pat Jr. was born on June 30, 1985, in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], one of four children of Pat Sr. and Janet Venditte.<ref name="Media Guide">{{Cite news|last1=Tooley|first1=Katie|last2=Shields|first2=Kevin|year=2007|title=2007 Bluejay Baseball Media Guide|access-date=April 14, 2009|publisher=Creighton University Sports Information Office|url=http://www.gocreighton.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89370&SPID=78&DB_OEM_ID=1000&ATCLID=1393503|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419233225/http://www.gocreighton.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89370&SPID=78&DB_OEM_ID=1000&ATCLID=1393503|archive-date=April 19, 2009}}</ref> Pat Sr. played [[college baseball]] as a [[catcher]].<ref name=espn/> Though his son is naturally right-handed, Pat Sr. trained his son to throw with both arms to give his son an edge in athletic competitions.<ref name=torontostar>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/mlb/article/1154497--new-york-yankees-prospect-pat-venditte-pitches-from-both-sides-of-the-mound |title=New York Yankees prospect Pat Venditte pitches from both sides of the mound |work=thestar.com |date=March 30, 2012 |access-date=June 2, 2012 |location=Toronto |first=Brendan |last=Kennedy}}</ref> Toward this end, the Venditte [[backyard]] included [[astroturf]], a [[batting cage]], a [[radar gun]], and a [[pitching machine]].<ref name=Nicholl>{{Cite news|last=Nicholl|first=Conor|date=May 18, 2007|title=Ambidextrous Venditte turning heads|work=MLB.com|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070518&content_id=1971888&vkey=draft2007&fext=.jsp}}</ref> In addition to training both arms from a young age, Pat Jr. practiced [[Punt (gridiron football)|punting]] [[American football ball|footballs]] with both legs to establish the leg motion needed when pitching with each arm.<ref name="Media Guide"/>

Venditte used both arms when playing in [[Little League]], which sometimes caused him to be confused for twins.<ref name=torontostar/><ref name=Nicholl/> Venditte attended [[Omaha Central High School]]. He had a 15–4 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] during his [[Twelfth grade|senior year]], earning All-Nebraska second-team honors.<ref name="Media Guide"/>

==College career==
Venditte joined the [[Creighton Bluejays baseball|Creighton Bluejays]] in 2005 as a [[walk-on (sport term)|walk-on]]. Creighton head coach [[Ed Servais]] did not allow Venditte to pitch with both arms during his five appearances his freshman year, fearing the spectacle would become a "[[circus]]". Starting with his sophomore season, Venditte regularly used both arms in collegiate play; he posted a 3.02 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in {{frac|62|2|3}} [[innings pitched]]. After the season, he played [[collegiate summer baseball]] for the [[Quincy Gems]] of the [[Central Illinois Collegiate League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BL&p_theme=bl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1131ADE8A9BFD5F0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington, Illinois|date=June 21, 2006|title=Quincy's Quinn belts walk-off grand slam off Stars' Facer|access-date=August 24, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=August 2012}}</ref>

In his junior year, Venditte appeared in 36 of Creighton's 58 games before appearing in the [[2007 NCAA Division I baseball tournament]]. His [[opponents batting average]] (OBA) of .185 was the fourth-best in the nation, and he posted a 1.85 ERA.<ref name="Pivovar 1">{{Cite news|last=Pivovar|first=Steven|date=May 29, 2007a|title=CU Baseball: National honor, Valley MVP award elevate pitcher Venditte|publisher=Omaha World-Herald|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2392608|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181444/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2392608|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> At one point during the season, Venditte had a streak of {{frac|43|2|3}} scoreless innings.<ref name=Olson>{{Cite news|last=Olson|first=Eric|date=June 8, 2007|title=Yankees draft switch-pitching Venditte|publisher=North County Times|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/06/09/sports/professional/21_26_196_8_07.txt}}</ref> On May 28, 2007, Collegiate Baseball named Venditte the national player of the week.<ref name="Pivovar 1"/>

For the season, Venditte earned first-team All-Conference honors for the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] and was named [[Most Valuable Player]] of the conference tournament, in which Creighton won its first conference championship.<ref name=Tournament>{{Cite news|title= Venditte MVP As Baseball Shocks Wichita State, 10–9, In 12 Inning Tourney Final|publisher=Creighton University Athletics|year=2007|access-date=April 14, 2009|url=http://www.gocreighton.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89371&SPID=78&DB_OEM_ID=1000&ATCLID=1146882}}</ref> He was named to the [[All-American]] third team for the 2007 season.<ref name="Pivovar 2">{{Cite news|last=Pivovar|first=Steven|date=May 31, 2007b|title=NCAA Baseball: Cowboys limp into regional|publisher=Omaha World-Herald|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2393507|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224028/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2393507|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Venditte was also voted Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year by online pitching magazine InsidePitching.com.<ref name=Stone>{{cite news|last=Stone|first=Tyson|date=June 1, 2007|title=InsidePitching.com Announces Region Pitchers of the Year|publisher=InsidePitching.com|url=http://www.insidepitching.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626}}</ref> After the season, he played collegiate summer baseball for the [[Wisconsin Woodchucks]] in the [[Northwoods League]]. As the Woodchucks' [[closing pitcher|closer]], he had a 4–1 record, 9 saves, a 1.76 ERA, and a .154 opponents' batting average.<ref name="Schwarz 1"/>

On June 8, 2007, the [[New York Yankees]] selected Venditte in the 45th round of the [[2007 Major League Baseball draft]] with the 1,345th overall pick. Venditte was surprised by the pick, because he had told all major league scouts that he intended to return to Creighton for his senior year. The Yankees called him during the 30th round of the draft, asking him how much it would take to sign him, but Venditte refused to set a price.<ref name=Olson/> Ultimately, the Yankees were unable to sign Venditte before the August 15, 2007, signing deadline.<ref name="Schwarz 1">{{cite news|last=Schwarz|first=Alan|date=August 17, 2007b|title=Yankees Sign Draft Picks, but Not Ambidextrous Pitcher|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/sports/baseball/17draft.html?em&ex=1187496000&en=b50b0389834cd694&ei=5087%0A}}</ref> Venditte said that he was not quite ready to turn professional and wanted to build velocity with his left arm and add another pitch with his right.<ref name="Schwarz 1"/>

Venditte was once again drafted by the Yankees in the [[2008 Major League Baseball draft]], this time in the 20th round with the 620th overall pick, and this time, he decided to sign.<ref name=statenisland>{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-06-12/sports/17900960_1_pat-venditte-ambidextrous-pitcher-creighton|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130100941/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-06-12/sports/17900960_1_pat-venditte-ambidextrous-pitcher-creighton|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|title=Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte headed to Staten Island Yankees|first=Anthony|last=McCarron|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|date=June 12, 2008|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===New York Yankees===
[[File:Venditte_right_handed.JPG|200px|thumb|Venditte pitching right-handed for the [[Staten Island Yankees]] in 2008]]
His initial assignment was to the [[Staten Island Yankees]] of the Class-A Short-Season [[New York–Penn League]].<ref name=statenisland/> On June 19, 2008, in his first minor league appearance with Staten Island against the [[Brooklyn Cyclones]], Venditte pitched a scoreless ninth inning for a Yankees win. While facing the last Cyclone batter, Ralph Henriquez, a switch-hitter, a rules crisis emerged. When Henriquez chose to bat left- or right-handed, Venditte subsequently chose to pitch with the same hand. Henriquez then went to the other side of the plate to regain the advantage. After this had happened several times, the teams appealed to the umpiring crew, which ruled that the batter must first select from which side of the plate he intended to hit, and that the pitcher would then be allowed to declare with which arm he would pitch. (The [[#The Pat Venditte Rule|Venditte Rule]], adopted several weeks later by the umpires' association, would make the opposite determination and preserve the traditional right of a switch-hitter to choose an opposite-handed match-up.) Venditte subsequently struck out Henriquez, who slammed his bat against the dirt, to end the game. A film of the incident received notoriety on the Internet and the tale was recounted in a number of places, including within the baseball compendium ''Rollie's Follies''.<ref name=Mallozzi>{{cite news
|last=Mallozzi|first=Vincent|date=June 21, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2009|title=Double-Barreled Pitcher Provides Shot of Confusion|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/sports/baseball/21switch.html?em&ex=1214280000&en=80ab836ccb776a32&ei=5087%0A}}</ref>

Venditte completed the 2008 season with 23 saves in 30 appearances with a 0.83 ERA. His performance earned him a spot on the New York–Penn League All-Star team and the Minor League Baseball Yearly Award for Best Short-Season Reliever.<ref name=Wild>{{cite news|last=Wild|first=Danny|date=October 29, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2009|title=Venditte the best from every angle|work=MLB.com|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=3646262&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb}}</ref>

For the 2009 season, he was assigned to the [[Charleston RiverDogs]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[South Atlantic League]].<ref name=RiverDogs>{{cite news|title= RiverDogs Roster Features Six Top Yankees Prospects|publisher=Our Sports Central|date=April 6, 2009|access-date=April 10, 2009|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3800878}}</ref> He was promoted to the [[Tampa Yankees]] of the [[Class A-Advanced]] [[Florida State League]] on June 26, 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/06/27/a-few-things/ |title=A few things ... |newspaper=[[The Journal News]]; The Lohud Yankees Blog |date=June 27, 2009|access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref> He finished the regular season with a 2.21 ERA and 2 saves in 21 appearances. In October, Venditte pitched for [[Águilas del Zulia]] in the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League|Venezuelan Winter League]].

Venditte pitched for the Yankees in a [[spring training]] game against the [[Atlanta Braves]] on March 30, 2010, giving up one earned run on two hits and a walk in {{frac|1|1|3}} innings.<ref name=Hoch>{{Cite news|last=Hoch|first=Bryan|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 30, 2010|title=Switch-pitching Venditte debuts with NY|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100330&content_id=8995670&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|year=2010}}</ref> He started the 2010 season in Tampa, posting a 1.73 ERA through {{frac|72|2|3}} innings in 41 appearances. On August 31, 2010 Venditte was promoted to the [[Trenton Thunder]] of the [[Class-AA]] [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Ashmore |url=http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/08/31/sports/doc4c7d8356b0cb0614134228.txt |title=Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte promoted to the Thunder |publisher=[[The Trentonian]] |date=August 31, 2010 |access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref>

Venditte pitched to a 3.41 ERA in 51 appearances with Trenton in 2011.<ref name=torontostar/> Though Venditte was eligible to be selected in the [[Rule 5 draft]] during the 2011–12 offseason, the Yankees chose not to protect him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/18/switch-pitcher-pat-venditte-to-be-available-in-rule-5-draft/ |title=Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to be available in Rule 5 draft &#124; HardballTalk |publisher=Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref> However, he was not chosen by any MLB team.<ref>{{cite web|author=SteveB, NJ.com fan blogger |url=http://blog.nj.com/yankees/2011/12/rule_5_draft_1_pick_no_losses.html |title=Rule 5 Draft: 1 Pick, No Losses, Other MLB Moves &#124; NJ.com |date=December 8, 2011 |publisher=Blog.nj.com |access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref> During the 2011–12 offseason, Venditte pitched in the [[Mexican Pacific League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2011/12/17/yankees-rule-5-pick-thriving-in-winter-ball/ |title=Yankees Rule 5 pick thriving in winter ball &#124; The Lohud Yankees Blog |publisher=Yankees.lhblogs.com |date=December 17, 2011 |access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref>

Venditte was promoted to the [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees]] of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Class-AAA]] [[International League]] for Opening Day in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|author=AP |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2012/04/yankees_get_opening_day_test_a.html |title=Yankees get Opening Day test against AL East rival Tampa Bay Ray &#124; syracuse.com |date=April 6, 2012 |publisher=Blog.syracuse.com |access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref> He suffered a [[SLAP tear|torn labrum]] in his right shoulder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20120521/BLUEJAYS/705219888/1001 |title=Venditte hoping to avoid surgery on torn labrum |publisher=Omaha.com |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=June 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609003917/http://www.omaha.com/article/20120521/BLUEJAYS/705219888/1001 |archive-date=June 9, 2012  }}</ref> He spent most of the 2013 season rehabilitating his shoulder, while also pitching exclusively with his left arm. He pitched for the [[Italian national baseball team]] in the [[2013 World Baseball Classic]], and for Trenton in the 2013 postseason.<ref name=newsday>{{cite web|last=Baumbach|first=Jim|title=Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte hoping for his call to the majors|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/pat-venditte-yankees-ambidextrous-pitcher-hoping-for-his-call-to-the-majors-1.9077467|date=August 17, 2014|publisher=Newsday.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Peruffo|date=August 14, 2013|publisher=The Trentonian|title=THUNDER: Switch-pitcher Venditte returns to Trenton|url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/20130814/SPORTS03/130819878/thunder-switch-pitcher-venditte-returns-to-trenton}}</ref> He then pitched in the [[Mexican Pacific League]] over the winter, and struggled.<ref name=newsday/>

The Yankees did not invite Venditte to spring training in 2014.<ref name=newsday/> Though Venditte had excellent minor league numbers, he was not considered a top prospect because of his age and, scouts believed, underwhelming fastball velocity.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schwarz|first=Alan|title=Switch-Pitcher Venditte Impressing Fans But Not Many Scouts|work=New York Times|date=June 13, 2009|access-date=June 16, 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/sports/baseball/14pitcher.html?_r=3&ei=&hp=&ex=&partner=&pagewanted=all}}</ref> He started the 2014 season with Trenton, but was called up again to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after a month, in which he pitched to a 0.82 ERA and 0.73 [[walks plus hits per inning pitched]] ratio in 22 innings.<ref name=newsday/> In his first outing after the promotion, he struck out all five batters that he faced, three throwing left-handed and two throwing right-handed.<ref name="TripleAcallup2014">{{cite news |date=May 18, 2014 |title=Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte leads RailRiders to victory |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/sports/1405755/RailRiders-make-switch-to-Venditte |newspaper=Times-Leader |location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |publisher=Civitas Media |access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>

===Oakland Athletics===
After the 2014 season, Venditte became a [[free agent]]. During the offseason, he signed a minor league contract with the [[Oakland Athletics]], receiving an invitation to spring training in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/creighton/blog/former-creighton-switch-pitcher-pat-venditte-signs-with-a-s/article_b4820c6e-7039-11e4-9ca7-0b7886236768.html|title=Former Creighton switch-pitcher Pat Venditte signs with A's|work=Omaha News-Herald|date=November 19, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2014}}</ref> Venditte began the 2015 season with the [[Nashville Sounds]] of the Class AAA [[Pacific Coast League]] (PCL).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/baseball/2015/04/05/nashville-sounds-roster/25328657/|title=Nashville Sounds release their 2015 roster|date=April 5, 2015|work=The Tennessean|access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> He pitched to a 1.36 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 17 games for Nashville before he was promoted to the Athletics for his first major-league stint on June 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/05/switch-pitcher-alert-as-call-up-rightleft-hander-pat-venditte/|title=Switch-pitcher alert! A's call up right/left-hander Pat Venditte|last=Gleeman|first=Aaron|work=hardballtalk.nbcsports.com|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/athletics-call-up-switch-pitcher-pat-venditte-from-triple-a-151913411.html|title=Athletics call up switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A|date=June 5, 2015|work=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> He pitched two scoreless innings, and got his first strikeout in his major league debut.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Jane|title=Ambidextrous Venditte hurls two shutout frames|url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/128749374/ambidextrous-pat-venditte-hurls-two-shutout-frames|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606203655/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/128749374/ambidextrous-pat-venditte-hurls-two-shutout-frames|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2015|access-date=June 6, 2015|work=Oakland Athletics|publisher=Major League Baseball, LLC|date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> The ''[[East Oregonian]]'', a newspaper published in [[Pendleton, Oregon]], mistakenly described the ambidextrous Venditte's first MLB appearance as "Amphibious Pitcher Makes Debut". The mistake was widely reported humorously in the national [[popular press]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=KIRSTIE |first1=CHIAPPELLI |title=Newspaper dubs Pat Venditte MLB's first 'amphibious' pitcher |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/newspaper-dubs-pat-venditte-mlbs-first-amphibious-pitcher/1ajf9elmb2o6i15kalf8h6jspy |website=www.sportingnews.com |date=June 9, 2015 |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> Venditte pitched in four games, not allowing a run in {{frac|5|2|3}} innings pitched, before he strained his right shoulder and the Athletics placed Venditte on the [[disabled list]] on June 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Switch-pitcher-Pat-Venditte-goes-on-A-s-6324243.php|title=Switch pitcher Pat Venditte goes on A's disabled list|work=San Francisco Chronicle|first=Susan|last=Slusser|author-link=Susan Slusser|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015}}</ref> Venditte was reactivated by the A's on August 3, 2015 and optioned to AAA Nashville.<ref>{{cite web|last=Koo |first=Jeremy F. |url=http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/8/3/9090575/oakland-as-option-pat-venditte-to-triple-a-reports-omaha-world-herald |title=Oakland A's option Pat Venditte to Triple-A, reports Omaha World-Herald |publisher=Athletics Nation |date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref> He was recalled to the A's on August 15 and earned his first major league win on August 30.<ref>{{cite web|last=Slusser |first=Susan |url=http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Oakland-A-s-prevail-in-11th-first-win-for-Pat-6474990.php |title=Oakland A's prevail in 11th, first win for Pat Venditte |publisher=SFGate |date=August 31, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=JoeStiglichNBCS|author=Joe Stiglich|number=632587014257397760|date=August 15, 2015|title=I'm told Pat Venditte will be called up for tonight's game. #Athletics badly need bullpen depth.}}</ref> Overall, Venditte posted an ERA of 4.40 in 26 games for Oakland in 2015.

===Toronto Blue Jays===
On October 19, 2015, Venditte was claimed off waivers by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/person-of-interest-blue-jays-switch-pitcher-pat-venditte/ |title=Person of Interest: Blue Jays switch pitcher Pat Venditte |date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |first=Jeff |last=Simmons |work=sportsnet.ca}}</ref> He was assigned to the [[Buffalo Bisons]] of the International League to start the 2016 season,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-170409546 |title=2016 Opening Day Roster Announced |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 7, 2016 |author=Buffalo Bisons}}</ref> and was recalled by the Blue Jays on April 13 after [[Arnold León]] was designated for assignment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recall-switch-pitcher-pat-venditte-boost-bullpen/|title=Blue Jays recall switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to boost bullpen|last=Simmons|first=Jeff|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref> Venditte made his Blue Jays debut on April 13, 2016 against the New York Yankees, pitching one scoreless inning to finish a 7–2 Blue Jays win. On April 27, he was optioned back to Triple-A.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recall-tepera-option-venditte-triple/|title=Blue Jays recall Tepera, option Venditte to triple-A|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> Venditte was recalled on May 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/178635798/blue-jays-jimmy-paredes-activated-from-dl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518105135/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/178635798/blue-jays-jimmy-paredes-activated-from-dl|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2016|title=Blue Jays activate Paredes, promote Venditte|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> and sent back on May 25. On June 7, Venditte was recalled once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/06/blue-jays-designate-matt-dominguez.html|title=Blue Jays Designate Matt Dominguez|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 7, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2016}}</ref> Overall, Venditte posted an ERA of 5.19 in 8 games for Toronto in 2016.
===Seattle Mariners===
On August 6, 2016, Venditte was traded to the [[Seattle Mariners]] for a [[player to be named later]] ([[Tim Lopes (baseball)|Tim Lopes]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.mynorthwest.com/164564/mariners-acquire-pitchers-arquimedes-caminero-pat-venditte/|title=Mariners make 2 trades, acquire switch pitcher Pat Venditte|last=Stecker|first=Brent|work=sports.mynorthwest.com|date=August 6, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2016}}</ref> He was optioned to the [[Tacoma Rainiers]] of the PCL on August 6, and was recalled on August 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-pat-venditte-recalled-by-mariners/ |title=Mariners' Pat Venditte: Recalled by Mariners |date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> The Mariners outrighted Venditte off of the 40-man roster to Tacoma after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/mariners-insider-blog/article118245648.html |title=Mariners face decision on Jesus Sucre as Friday's contract deadline approaches |publisher=The News Tribune |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Phillies===
On March 12, 2017, the Mariners traded Venditte to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in exchange for minor league player [[Joey Curletta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Phillies-trade-Seattle-Mariners-ambidextrous-Pat-Venditte.html|title=Phillies trade for ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte|work=Philly.com|first=Matt|last=Breen|date=March 12, 2017|access-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref> He spent the 2017 season with the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]] of the International League,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/ironpigs/mc-ironpigs-railriders-0502-20170502-story.html |title=IronPigs ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte garnering attention now because of his craft – The Morning Call |publisher=Mcall.com |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref> making 52 appearances out of the [[bullpen]] and registering a 9–5 record and 3.36 ERA with 69 strikeouts in {{fraction|69|2|3}} innings pitched. Venditte elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=October 18, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Dodgers===
On November 27, 2017, Venditte signed a minor league contract with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/11/27/dodgers-sign-switch-pitcher-pat-venditte-to-a-minor-league-deal/|title=Dodgers sign switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to a minor league deal|work=Hardball Times|first=Bill|last=Baer|date=November 27, 2017|access-date=November 27, 2017}}</ref> After beginning the 2018 season with the [[Oklahoma City Dodgers]] of the PCL, he was called up to the majors on May 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/12/17348196/pat-venditte-dodgers-brock-stewart-optioned|title=Dodgers call up Pat Venditte, option Brock Stewart|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=May 12, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2018}}</ref> He was selected to represent the PCL at the [[Triple-A All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsok.com/article/5599672/four-dodgers-selected-for-triple-a-all-star-game|title=Four OKC Dodgers selected for Triple-A All-Star Game|work=newsok|first=Cameron|last=Jourdan|date=June 28, 2018|access-date=July 8, 2018}}</ref> He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on November 28.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-acquire-adam-mccreery-from-braves/c-301219676|title=Dodgers acquire LHP McCreery from Braves|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=November 28, 2018|access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref>

===San Francisco Giants===
Venditte signed a one-year, $585,000 contract with the [[San Francisco Giants]] on December 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/giants-sign-pat-venditte.html|title=Giants Sign Pat Venditte|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=December 21, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref> On May 7, 2019, Venditte was placed on waivers, and on May 12, cleared waivers and reported to [[Sacramento River Cats|Sacramento]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-pat-venditte-sticks-in-organization|title=Giants' Pat Venditte: Sticks in organization|date=May 12, 2019|access-date=August 16, 2019|work=CBS Sports}}</ref> He missed almost two months of the season while his wife, Erin, recovered from a brain hemorrhage.<ref name=FRISARO>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pat-venditte-marlins-minor-league-deal |title=Switch pitcher Venditte nets Minors deal |last=Frisaro |first=Joe |date=3 January 2020 |website=MLB.com - News |access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref> He elected free agency on October 4, 2019.

===Miami Marlins===
On January 6, 2020 Venditte signed a minor league contract with the [[Miami Marlins]], with an invitation to spring training.<ref name=FRISARO /> Venditte elected free agency on July 14, 2020. He re-signed a minor league deal on August 5, 2020. His contract was selected by the Marlins on August 8, 2020. He appeared in three games for the Marlins that year and pitched {{frac|4|1|3}} scoreless innings. Venditte was outrighted off of the 40-man roster on October 29, 2020.

After receiving little interest from teams in spring 2021 after becoming a free agent, Venditte "took that as writing on the wall", he said, to work full time for a [[Peoria, Illinois]], company.<ref name=omahaworldherald20211008>{{cite news|url=https://omaha.com/sports/college/creighton/ambidextrous-pitcher-pat-venditte-to-be-inducted-into-creighton-athletics-hall-of-fame/article_7fb86d42-287a-11ec-8340-9fffd116e49c.html|title=Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte to be inducted into Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame |work=omaha.com |date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |location=Omaha, Nebraska|first=Jon|last=Nyatawa}}</ref>

==Pitching style==
When using his right arm, Venditte used to deliver over the top and could throw a [[Slider (baseball)|slider]] and [[curveball]], as well as a [[fastball]] at around {{convert|85|mph}} that topped out at {{convert|87|mph}}.<ref name=torontostar/><ref name="River">{{cite news|last=Benjamin|first=Kabak|date=June 15, 2009a|title=Profiling Pat Venditte|publisher=River Avenue Blues|url=http://riveraveblues.com/2009/06/profiling-pat-venditte-2-13229/}}</ref> His left-handed delivery is [[Sidearm (baseball)|side-armed]] in which he throws a slider and a fastball that reaches the low-to-mid 80s.<ref name=torontostar/> Following Venditte's 2012 surgery on his right shoulder, [[Gil Patterson]] worked with him on a right-handed sidearm delivery.<ref name=newsday/> Although the injury slowed his right arm, Venditte's delivery is now almost identical from either side having lost the big overhand curveball, and observers have mistaken him for [[identical twin]]s because he warms up one hand with the starting pitchers and the other with the relievers. Venditte is ambidextrous only when pitching. Despite batting left-handed, he is exclusively right-handed when performing tasks such as swinging a golf club, writing, or eating.{{r|espn}}

Venditte generally pitches with his right arm against right-handed batters and left-handed against left-handed batters, which minimizes his opponent's advantage when strategically ordering batters in the line-up based on which side of the plate they hit from.<ref name=Nicholl/> [[Mizuno Corporation|Mizuno]] has custom-made six-fingered [[Baseball glove|glove]]s for Venditte since the age of seven with a thumb-hole on each side, allowing him to easily switch back and forth.<ref name=torontostar/><ref name="Schwarz 2">{{Cite news|last=Schwarz|first=Alan|date=April 6, 2007a|title=Throwing Batters Curves Before Throwing a Pitch|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/06/sports/baseball/06pitcher.html?ex=1333512000&en=a34837d6efb38b04&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg|access-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref>{{r|espn}} By splitting his pitches between his arms, he is able to pitch longer than traditional pitchers before becoming fatigued.<ref name=Nicholl/> In 2015, ESPN speculated that Venditte "has quite possibly thrown more baseballs than any other man his age in history because he's had twice as many arms with which to throw them".{{r|espn}}

==The Pat Venditte Rule==
Venditte's rare ambidextrous abilities prompted the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation (PBUC) to issue a new rule for dealing with ambidextrous pitchers, limiting the number of times that a switch-pitcher and switch-hitter can change sides during one at-bat. After consulting with a variety of sources, including the Major League Baseball Rules Committee, the PBUC issued its new guidelines on July 3, 2008.<ref name=Abraham>{{Cite news|last=Abraham|first=Peter|publisher=LoHud Yankees Blog|access-date=July 3, 2008|title=The switch-pitcher rule change|url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/03/the-switch-pitcher-rule-change/|year=2008}}</ref> OBR Rule 5.07(f),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umpirebible.com/OBR16/5.0.htm|title = OBR Rule 5.0}}</ref> known as the "Pat Venditte Rule",<ref name="kleinschmidt20181219">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/pat-venditte-everything-you-need-know-about-mlb-switch-pitcher |title=Why Venditte has a rule dedicated to him and everything |last=Kleinschmidt |first=Jessica |date=2018-12-19 |website=NBC Sports Bay Area |access-date=2018-12-24}}</ref> currently reads:

{{Blockquote|A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher's rubber. 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Edition: Official Baseball Rules |url=https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf |work=MLB.com |date=2019 |access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>}}

Similar rules have been adopted by both the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] (rule 9-2k) and the [[National Federation of State High School Associations]] (rule 6–1–1).{{cn|date=June 2024}}

==Personal life==
Venditte is married to Erin, whom he met while they were both enrolled at Creighton.<ref name=espn>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/12845975/ambidextrous-nashville-sounds-pitcher-pat-venditte-rarest-mlb-skills|title=Show of Hands: Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte has the rarest of MLB skills|work=[[ESPN The Magazine]]|first=Chris|last=Jones|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
*[[Greg A. Harris]], the only other switch-pitcher in Major League Baseball's modern era
*[[Tony Mullane]], a [[dead-ball era|dead-ball-era]] pitcher who routinely switch-pitched
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Pat Venditte}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=519381|espn=31475|br=v/vendipa01|fangraphs=7108|brm=vendit001pat|retro=V/Pvendp001}}
*{{YouTube|8U2xkHOTvvw|CSTV Segment on Pat Venditte}}
*{{Instagram|pvenditte}}
*{{Twitter}}

* [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/pat-venditte/ Pat Venditte] at [[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]] (Baseball BioProject)
{{Italy roster 2013 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Italy roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Venditte, Pat}}
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