Started By
Message

re: Why are Left Handers used only at 1st Base

Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:11 pm to
Posted by jose canseco
Houston via Houma via BR via NOLA
Member since Jul 2007
5667 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:11 pm to
quote:

Tigertown in ATL


I'm glad you agree with me
Posted by Moustache
GEAUX TIGERS
Member since May 2008
21650 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:11 pm to
quote:

have a different question, why isn't 1B a lefthanded position like SS is a righty position? Every infielder should make the most common throws across the body with chest toward th infield. A pivot throw with back to plate should be exception.


Because the benefits of a good bat outweigh the minimal benefits a LH first baseman provides over a RH first baseman. Basically best bat wins at 1b.
Posted by tress4pres
Columbus, OH
Member since Dec 2007
4012 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:13 pm to
quote:

C is not a righty position. Could easily be a lefty.


No. Teams would steal 3B all day on a lefty.
Posted by nc14
La Jolla
Member since Jan 2012
28193 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:20 pm to
Not so.
Posted by motorbreath
New Orleans Saints fan
Member since Jun 2004
6381 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:38 pm to
You don't see many lefties at 3B or SS mainly because you need a strong arm at those positions and lefties with strong arms are almost always turned into pitchers because left handed pitchers are at a premium. Players are used where they are most useful. The bottom line is if you can hit or pitch you will play somewhere.
Posted by SoFla Tideroller
South Florida
Member since Apr 2010
39219 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:46 pm to
Right handed Cs snap throw to 1st base all the time. Throwing down to 3rd in one respect is actually easier for LHs. A RH hitter in the box can restrict or interfere with a RH throwing C, where a LH throwing C's arm is clear.

A simpler answer may just be that there are no LH catcher's mitts at the youth league level, thus LH kids are discouraged from the position in the formative stages.
Posted by motorbreath
New Orleans Saints fan
Member since Jun 2004
6381 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 12:50 pm to
Who really cares if there are no LH catchers? If they are good at baseball they will play somewhere.
Posted by sassyLSU
Lake Charles, La.
Member since May 2011
2080 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:29 pm to
they are used in left field, where their right hand catching the ball is near the line or wall.

Barry Bonds.

They can play center field too. No advantage to either hand in center.



Posted by Zach
Gizmonic Institute
Member since May 2005
116783 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:35 pm to
quote:

Yes they do. If there were lefty catchers it would be much easier to steal 3B. Also, the throw to 2B is slightly further for a lefty because he has to throw across his body and in front of the bag. It's not much but in baseball every inch and millisecond counts on a steal. It's an even more difficult throw if the batter is right handed. Now I understand that it's also more difficult for a right handed C with a left handed batter, but a lefty C is baseball suicide for the defense, at least when you get to the higher levels of play.


You people have totally missed my point. Lefties who have good enough arms to throw out runner in any steal attempt are pitchers. Hard throwing left handed pitchers are the solid gold of baseball.

Do you know why the term 'crafty lefty' is used? It's because there are so few lefties who can throw 100 mph. If you are left handed and can throw 90 you are a pitcher.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
79383 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:38 pm to
Posted by Tom288
Jacksonville
Member since Apr 2009
21336 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:47 pm to
quote:

Show me where I suggested making any changes to the game at all.


I'm responding to your asinine assertion that baseball is a "flawed" game because, in your mind, it discriminates against left-handed players because they can't play certain positions.

quote:

Of course. Where in your pea brain did you come up with the idea to do that?


I was mocking you. You're criticizing the game over something that's completely ridiculous.

quote:

You have the debate skills of a prepubescent girl.


I'm not the one who looks like a fool here. But if you want to continue this discussion I'll be happy to show you my debate skills.

quote:

They aren't prohibited from playing the position, which is the point.


By this statement once can conclude that you're either criticizing baseball over a completely meaningless factor, being left-handed, or you're implying that there's a fundamental problem with the game that needs to be addressed, which would contradict your assertion that you're not calling for making changes to the game.

Now, I happen to think it's the former rather than the latter. But, that just means you're an idiot. Oh, and one other point: baseball doesn't "prohibit" left-handed players from playing any position, they don't play those positions because they can't play them as well as their right-handed peers. That's not prohibiting them from playing the positions anymore than not allowing a pitcher who tops out at 70mph to be a part of the pitching staff. They just can't play that position. You're criticizing the game over one arbitrary factor.
Posted by shawnlsu
Member since Nov 2011
23682 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:47 pm to
quote:

but is there another game that eliminates a portion of the population at certain positions because of this particular attribute

I think we need Al and Jesse to chime in on the national level with this very argument. Lefty's are a minority aren't they?
Posted by Tom288
Jacksonville
Member since Apr 2009
21336 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:49 pm to
quote:

The difference is that speed, height, weight, athleticism are different from righty/lefty.



How so?
Posted by Gulf Coast Tiger
Ms Gulf Coast
Member since Jan 2004
20574 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:54 pm to
quote:

Basically best bat wins at 1b.


or LF, the easiest position in baseball to play.


Lefty's are very valued at Pitchers.
Posted by Louie T
Member since Dec 2006
36601 posts
Posted on 3/7/15 at 1:58 pm to
quote:

Oh, and one other point: baseball doesn't "prohibit" left-handed players from playing any position, they don't play those positions because they can't play them as well as their right-handed peers. That's not prohibiting them from playing the positions anymore than not allowing a pitcher who tops out at 70mph to be a part of the pitching staff. They just can't play that position. You're criticizing the game over one arbitrary factor.
I've already addressed what he means by "can't" but got no repsonse.
first pageprev pagePage 3 of 3Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram