 The all-switch-hitting infield of the 1965 and 1966 Dodgers, consisting of Wes Parker, Maury Wills, Junior Gilliam and Jim Lefebvre, inspired Ashby, a natural lefty, to train himself to hit from both sides of the plate.Ashby did not consider becoming a catcher until his senior year of high school when, inspired by watching Johnny Bench, he decided that he had a good enough arm to attempt the conversion.Born in Long Beach, California, Ashby attended San Pedro High School in Los Angeles where he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft.