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Adrian Beltre has unique strategy for facing ambidextrous pitcher


Over his 19-year career, Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has overcome some tough obstacles. He’s played despite excruciating pain, hit home runs from his knees and figured out how to coexist with annoying teammates.

In all of those situations, Beltre has found a way to come out on top. So when Beltre faced an unusual challenge during Monday’s game against the Seattle Mariners, he was ready.

During the fifth inning of the contest, Beltre faced switch-pitcher Pat Venditte for the second time in his career. If you weren’t aware, Venditte is ambidextrous, and can pitch with both his left and right arm. He has to declare which arm he uses prior to each at-bat, but he can use both his left and right arm to throw pitches during a single inning. It’s quite the sight.

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In order to combat Venditte’s unique platoon advantage, Beltre stepped to the plate with his helmet on backward.

It also looked like Beltre was going to try and hit from the left side of the plate against Venditte before eventually walking over to the right-handed batter’s box. Venditte seemed to appreciate the gesture, smirking and pointing at Beltre once he realized what was happening.

We’re not entirely sure about Beltre’s motivations here, but it worked out in the end. Venditte couldn’t fool the veteran despite his right-handed ways. Beltre doubled on the third pitch he saw from the switch-pitcher.

Adrian Beltre knows how to enjoy himself on a baseball field. (Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)
Adrian Beltre knows how to enjoy himself on a baseball field. (Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)

So, maybe the move worked? Maybe the backward helmet gave Beltre the mental advantage he needed in order to get the best of Venditte.

It’s unclear whether Beltre needs to go out of his way to devise an elaborate strategy next time he faces Venditte, though. In two career at-bats against him, Beltre now has two doubles. It’s going to take a lot more than a switch-pitcher to throw an experienced veteran like Beltre off his game.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik