switch-hit

American  

[swich-hit] / ˈswɪtʃˈhɪt /

verb (used without object)

Baseball.

switch-hits, present (3rd person singular) switch-hit, past participle, past switch-hitting present participle

1. to be able to bat from either side of home plate because of the ability to bat both right-handed and left-handed.

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switch-hit British  

verb

1. (intr) baseball to be able to bat either right- or left-handed

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noun

1. cricket a shot in which the batsman jumps through 180 degrees to the opposite side of the wicket before swinging at the ball

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• switch hitter
  noun
• switch-hitter
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• switch-hitting
  present
• switch-hit
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• switch-hit
  simple
• switch-hits
  simple
• have switch-hit
  perfect
• has switch-hit
  perfect
• am switch-hitting
  progressive
• are switch-hitting
  progressive
• is switch-hitting
  progressive
• have been switch-hitting
  perfect progressive
• has been switch-hitting
  perfect progressive

Past

• switch-hit
  simple
• had switch-hit
  perfect
• was switch-hitting
  progressive
• were switch-hitting
  progressive
• had been switch-hitting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will switch-hit
  simple
• will have switch-hit
  perfect
• will be switch-hitting
  progressive
• will have been switch-hitting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of switch-hit

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

switch-hit switch-hits switch-hitting

Logan van Beek bowled Root through his legs, as the batter tried a switch-hit.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 8, 2023

Then there’s his switch-hit tool, something the Mariners didn’t even know about until Clase starting swinging from both sides a couple years ago while rehabbing from an injury.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 8, 2023

Jack Jolly, the varsity coach at Dorman, took it as a chance to challenge White, saying he could switch-hit if he really worked at it.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 9, 2022

The opening partnership was finally broken at 237 when Warner attempted a switch-hit slog sweep, and Burns soon followed him.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2015

Though every showboat boasts a subversive aspect thanks to the disdain necessarily at its core, the switch-hit is special.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 14, 2012

"I wish more power to the players to make as much $$$$ as they can, whilst they can. Keep hitting sixes and switch-hits and growing your bank accounts, dudes!"

From BBC ● Nov. 26, 2025

One thing for certain is that England's sweeps, reverse-sweeps, switch-hits, slogs and scoops befuddled the hosts in Hyderabad.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2024

Let me pause for a second to count up how many switch-hits India's batsmen opted to play in these conditions.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 19, 2012

Johnson likes the fact that Lombardozzi switch-hits, which can help him dictate match-up late in games.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 13, 2012

After the Arizona lineup turned over and Sheehan retired Ketel Marte and Carroll to get out of the inning, Roberts stuck with the right-hander against switch-hitting Geraldo Perdomo and right-handed Nolan Arenado in the seventh.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

The switch-hitting catcher was batting left-handed in the first inning when he blasted a 93-mph fastball from Tanner Gordon 422 feet into the upper deck behind right field for home run No. 59.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2025

His positional versatility, switch-hitting abilities, and Gold Glove-caliber defense across the diamond are what club executives treasured most.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2025

The switch-hitting Polanco played shortstop early in his career and has played third base.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

Early in his pro career with the struggling club, he tried switch-hitting at Casey Stengel’s suggestion and stuck with it.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 11, 2024