switch hitter

American  

[swich hit-er] / ˈswɪtʃ ˈhɪt ər /

Or switch-hitter

noun

1. Baseball. a batter who can bat both right-handed and left-handed and so is able to bat from either side of home plate.

2. Slang. a bisexual person.

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switch-hitter British  

noun

1. baseball a batsman who can hit either right- or left-handed

2. slang a bisexual person

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Etymology

Origin of switch hitter

First recorded in 1925–30 switch hitter for def. 1, and in 1965–70 switch hitter for def. 2

Example Sentences

Rutschman displayed his power from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter, swatting a combined 27 homers in his first-round matchup on Monday night.

From Washington Times • Jul. 10, 2023

Rutschman hit 21 left-handed, and the switch hitter then turned around to the right side and hit six more right-handed during a 30-second bonus round.

From Washington Times • Jul. 10, 2023

Rutschman, it should be noted, is a switch hitter but has been notably more productive from the left side.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2023

As a switch hitter in a lineup that leans heavily on right-handed hitters, Raleigh could wind up being the Mariners’ regular cleanup hitter in 2023, particularly against right-handed starters.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2023

“I mean, what other switch hitter in the game right now is comparable?”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2022