Brooklyn Cyclones designated hitter Ralph Henriquez is a switch-hitter. Nothing all that uncommon about that. But when he stepped into the batter's box of Thursday night's Class A game vs. Staten Island, it evolved into one of the most uncommon at-bats in recent memory.

You see, Staten Island pitcher Pat Venditte -- taken in the 20th round of this month's draft by the Yankees out of Creighton -- is ambidextrous and has pitched that way all his life.

Enriquez stepped in as a right-handed batter. Venditte promptly put his specially made glove (it has six fingers, two webs and fits on both hands) on his left hand, and got ready to pitch right-handed.

Time. Henriquez changed his mind and switched sides of the plate. Venditte responded likewise with his glove. Then it happened again. And again. And again.

Apparently unsure of how the rules handle such an oddity, the umpires didn't stop the cat-and-mouse game until Venditte walked toward the plate and said something while pointing at Henriquez.

Umpires and both managers then huddled and the umps decided the batter and pitcher can both change sides one time per at-bat, and that the batter must declare first. The ruling favored the pitcher, since he gets to declare last.

About seven minutes after he first stepped in, Henriquez struck out on four pitches as a righty against a right-handed Venditte and slammed his bat in frustration.

It's unclear what the MLB rule book says on the matter, but Justin Klemm, executive director of the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation, said his organization was working with major league baseball to remedy the lack of a clear rule.

Yankees

Julia Ruth Stevens had one last trip to make before Arizona became her year-round home. The 91-year-old daughter of Babe Ruth just had to say goodbye to one of her father's favorite places. Stevens was back at Yankee Stadium to present Alex Rodriguez with the 2007 Babe Ruth award, presented annually to the major league home-run leader. "I wasn't sure I was ever going to get to see the Yankee Stadium again," she said. "But this is my last trip east and I'm just thrilled at being here again, to see [what] daddy called his second home."

Nationals

Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson will visit the Mayo Clinic today to determine why his injured wrist is taking so long to heal. "He still has soreness. We're going to get another opinion to make sure there's nothing else we can do at this point," Washington general manager Jim Bowden said.

Cubs

Chicago placed Carlos Zambrano on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain and expects him to miss two starts. "We just have to be careful, take some time, give it a rest, come back stronger," Zambrano said.

Red Sox

Boston reliever Mike Timlin was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his left knee.

First Published: June 22, 2008, 5:30 a.m.