OT: Do right-handed throwing players make better SS/2B?

[hyper316]

I always wondered about this.

For example, Derek Jeter wouldn't be able to make his patented jumping throw with balls goes towards the left field if he's a left-handed thrower. Since the 1B is always on the left side of the infielders, it takes more force to throw across the diamond if balls are hit to the left infield. i think being right-handed gives you the advantage to use the momentum of chasing the ball and throwing the ball all in one motion.

I don't have a good example to argue for 2B, maybe more to consider.. perhaps avoiding take outs on double play balls, which hand is more convenient to catch and throw.

Discuss.

[Schad]

The answer is yes, and thus there isn't a single left-handed throwing 2B/SS in the league...in fact, there hasn't been a regular (ie., not single-game) left-handed throwing 2B/SS in modern history:

Second basemen.
Shortstop.


They're actually more rare in baseball history than lefty catchers, I believe.

[hyper316]

wow! i did not know that, thx for the info schad. i just thot being right-handed would give you an advantage, not the deciding factor.

then how about lefty 1B? would hand would give you better stretch to catch a semi-off-target throw from an infielder

[Schad]

wow! i did not know that, thx for the info schad. i just thot being right-handed would give you an advantage, not the deciding factor.

then how about lefty 1B? would hand would give you better stretch to catch a semi-off-target throw from an infielder

Mostly (but not exclusively) left-handed for 1B, always right-handed for 3B, either for the OF. Left-handed throwers have it tough...nothing but power positions. Unless you're a left-handed pitcher, in which case you have a 20 year career ahead of you if you can so much as muster the arm strength to get the ball over the plate.


<---- lefty

[Ong_dynasty]

That's actually quite interesting.
I was thinking about 1b the other day really. Outside of Pujols alot tend to be left handed (which I assume is so that the glove is on the field side rather than the fould side (is that right or am i just clutching straws?lol).
But never really thought of 3rd baseman, 2nd and SS.
Whats wrong with left handed catchers?

[Schad]

But never really thought of 3rd baseman, 2nd and SS.
Whats wrong with left handed catchers?

With right-handed hitters at the plate, their throw to third is thought to be more difficult. However, it can be worked around...when I caught, I just staggered my feet (right foot forward) on pitches away so that I could swivel, stand up almost in the lefty batter's box and throw in front of the hitter. On pitches in, you just throw behind the hitter. If someone actually gave a guy the chance to do it in the minors for several years, I doubt that they'd end up being noticeably worse at throwing out runners. The only question (and the reason some have argued that it hasn't happened) is whether pitchers would be thrown off by the positioning of the catcher.

Second base makes a bit more sense, and third makes a lot of sense; shortstop never has, as while it's more difficult to make that cross-body throw ranging into the hole (assuming you can't spin and fire), it actually makes turns on double plays easier...allows you to drag your back foot over the bag with your momentum going to your throwing side, plant on your left foot and throw in one motion. But convention is baseball is an odd thing.

[victor page]

If you're lefthanded, and have any athletic ability, you should be learning to pitch at an early age because really how hard is it to throw like 85 mph with a little movement? Maybe not easy, as I never hit 85 as a right-handed pitcher, but then again I wasted a ton of time playing infield positions and other sports like basketball etc....

If Brad Mills can do it, then almost anyone can.

[SharoneWright]

But never really thought of 3rd baseman, 2nd and SS.
Whats wrong with left handed catchers?

With right-handed hitters at the plate, their throw to third is thought to be more difficult. However, it can be worked around...when I caught, I just staggered my feet (right foot forward) on pitches away so that I could swivel, stand up almost in the lefty batter's box and throw in front of the hitter. On pitches in, you just throw behind the hitter. If someone actually gave a guy the chance to do it in the minors for several years, I doubt that they'd end up being noticeably worse at throwing out runners. The only question (and the reason some have argued that it hasn't happened) is whether pitchers would be thrown off by the positioning of the catcher.

Interesting that you caught... catcher's always have nicknames... I bet yours wasn't "Schadenfreude"... am I right??

[wicked_crossova]

Goddamit, i should have gone into baseball lefties ftw

[SharoneWright]

Goddamit, i should have gone into baseball lefties ftw

Like Schad said, usually its only lefties ftw if you can slug that down and in pitch on to the right field porch, or develop your arm as a pitcher. I've played lots and lots of baseball (fastball actually) and never once played with a lefty middle infield partner or even a lefty catcher. Would have probably taken me half a season to wrap my mind around the visual actually... Lefties probably imagine a parallel universe where 3rd base becomes 1st, people run to opposite way, and they finally rule. lol.

[sideshow]

I am a lefty, and playing shortstop is a little tricky. I always seem to have to stop and plant my feet before I throw. I like a good challenge though.

[satyr9]

Wouldn't a LH SS just do the spin around rather than the jump throw in the hole? SS do that move going up the middle all the time and I can't see why it wouldn't work in the hole either. Sure, it's unconventional, but I don't see why MI should be right handed. For a SS it makes the longer throw easier (because of the spin move) and the ball up the middle throw is harder, but still an easier throw than the jump throw from deep at SS, right? I'm having a hard time visualizing what a throw by a LH SS would look like after stretching on a ball up the middle though so maybe I'm missing something, but the throw going towards 3B should be easier for a LH person IMO: the ball gives you the spinning momentum, you plant your left food and let it rip.

Throwing to 3b with a RH batter for an LH catcher is basically identical to throwing to 1B with a LH batter, right? Guys do that all the time, so I don't see why it should matter, although it probably does up the difficulty a little, but it's not too many guys throw to either all the much. I could see wanted a universal arm for the pitcher and also for the slight angle changes for a 2B covering the bag on steals (from a RH catcher the ball's angled in the same direction as the 2B's momentum, but that seems like a really minor point).

Anyway, I get why they never mess around with LH C's, but an LH SS seems like a potential advantage to me.

edit: reading the post above me and thinking about the routine plays for a SS, I think I get it. A RH person has an easier time squaring and throwing to his left in a simple motion than a LH person. All the basic throws on the run to 3B for a RH SS are kind of awkward. I still think the deep in the hole play would actually be easier for a LH person though.

[SharoneWright]

^

Ya. The throw to 1st for a LH SS is awkward for the exact reason you noted the throw to 3rd would be quite easy. Its more of a "whip action" when you can control/pull your throw. A LH SS, even on a routine play, would kinda feel like he has to make a screwball motion considering the 1st base target is to his left side.

[Mike Hunt]

Our best player, when I used to play, was a lefty and we played him everywhere on the field. It was awkward but this guy was such a natural athlete that it didn't matter. I don't think it would have translated at a higher level though.

[SargentBargs101]

I was thinking the same thing a couple days ago if there is a left handed catcher... would be interesting

[SargentBargs101]

I can use both my hands.... i can throw with my left and can throw with my left..... i'm more accurate with my right and can throw a little bit harder.

[Avenger]

I throw left handed when i play second base, i can field grounders way better with my right hand and my left handed throwing is passable for second base. It gets awkward at times especially with plays on the second base side and i don't have any arm strength on my left hand to do it anywhere else in the field but second base.