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Catch3dad
90 Posts |
 Posted - 04/27/2012 : 15:35:17
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Why don't we see more left handed catchers in travel ball or in baseball in general? Do the old school ideas that a lefty cannot be an effective catcher still stand up? I have seen a lot of left handed catchers in fastpitch softball. They play with ALOT more bunting and stealing, etc and they seem to be able to make all the plays.
Also, any one remeber or know of a southpaw playing in the infield( other than 1st or pitch) at a high level? I remember Don Mattingly playing a little 3rd base for the Yankees back in the 80's. Maybe a series or two and definitely not long term. |
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Jack-of-Diamonds
152 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 11:48:55
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We've got two left-handed catchers on our 14u team this season. One of them is my own son. He did not go into the season expecting to continue to catch, but it became necessary when we lost a couple of catchers we'd counted on. I realize he doesn't have a future behind the plate, and fortunately he's a developing into quite a good pitcher. But, at this age he's still got it going on back there.
I think a lot of the criticisms of lefty catchers are unwarranted... working around RH batters to make throws, etc... However, the one thing that I see as a distinct problem later on when it becomes a "full contact" situation is positioning taking a throw from the field with a runner bearing down on home. A RH catcher has his shoulder/back to the runner, whereas the lefty has his chest wide open to the runner with his attention diverted to the ball... and that is a formula for disaster.
At 14u and under, with the rules still protecting catchers from getting bowled-over, a LH catcher can actually have some advantages. Think about it. With RH batters being predominate and young pitchers often still tending to be a little wild, a LH catcher has a much better reach on the outside pitch.
Surprisingly, southpaws also tend to have an easier time working around RH batters making a throw to 3rd... at least once they learn to step out and make the throw behind the batter. Case in point - a couple of weeks ago a RH catcher went to make a throw to 3rd with my son at the plate (who, maybe unfortunately for a lefty, bats right) and threw it right into the side of my son's helmet at point blank range. No harm... my son was fine and the runner safe. Same weekend my son threw out two runners at 3rd. |
Edited by - Jack-of-Diamonds on 05/02/2012 13:42:07 |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 14:56:16
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| A good catcher has to have a good arm. I think that once it's determined that you have a lefty with a good arm, all focus is to get and keep him on the mound. |
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Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 15:40:42
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| To be an effective catcher you have to have a good arm. If you have a good arm, and are a lefty, then you are going to pitch. |
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ramman999
241 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 10:23:13
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I was a natural lefty with a very strong arm that wanted to catch.... Guess what? I pitched, played first and outfield :(
Nothings really changed since the dawn of time - if you have a lefty with a strong arm, he pitches, plays first or outfield. |
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Catch3dad
90 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 15:50:47
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quote:
Originally posted by in_the_know
A good catcher has to have a good arm. I think that once it's determined that you have a lefty with a good arm, all focus is to get and keep him on the mound.
I agree that is the normal reasoning but a righty with a good arm that catches is often also a pitcher.
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3sondad
220 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 18:35:51
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quote:
Originally posted by ramman999
I was a natural lefty with a very strong arm that wanted to catch.... Guess what? I pitched, played first and outfield :(
Me to former MLB pitcher: "Why don't lefties catch in the higher levels?"
Former MLB Pitcher responds to me: "I don't know."
Former MLB player yells across the cages to a former MLB coach: "How come you never see left handed catchers?" Former MLB coach responds: "Because I have never seen anyone trying to steal first." 
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Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 06:42:21
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I see runners try to steal first almost every game.
quote:
Originally posted by 3sondad
quote:
Originally posted by ramman999
I was a natural lefty with a very strong arm that wanted to catch.... Guess what? I pitched, played first and outfield :(
Me to former MLB pitcher: "Why don't lefties catch in the higher levels?"
Former MLB Pitcher responds to me: "I don't know."
Former MLB player yells across the cages to a former MLB coach: "How come you never see left handed catchers?" Former MLB coach responds: "Because I have never seen anyone trying to steal first."
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southpaws
