isn't it strange in baseball...

[rh71]

... that there are no left-handed throwing middle infielders or 3rd basemen ? I think I know why, but let's hear your thoughts on each position...

 

[Francodman]

Its designed that way, say you dive to your right for a ball. If you're a lefty, you'd have to spin around to make a throw, thus taking too much time.

Only left-handed infielders are the First basemen

 

[rh71]

Let me ask this way then... say you're a little leaguer who throws lefty. Do your coaches tell you that you can't play the infield (other than 1B) ? One of my old buddies was a lefty 3B-man... and he and I used to fight over playing that position all the time...

 

[Francodman]

If the coach wants to win, yeah he should. If i were the coach i'd have that kid pitching and playing first base. A left-handed pitcher is much more valuable than a righty.

 

[kranky]

Since each of those positions throw to the left for the throw to first, it takes more time for a lefty to pivot around and position their feet to make those throws. Righthanders at 2b/ss/3b throw naturally across their body. You can get away with it at pre-high school levels, but after that, no way.

 

[rh71]

What's having a lefty infielder have to do with losing games ? Don't righties throw across their body all the time? Especially if they range to their right ?

 

[Liviathan]

Changes in position don't happen until High School. Until then its just fun and games.

 

[Cyberian]

Pete Gray played the outfield with only one arm.

* 1945 - One-Armed Outfielder Makes Debut *


Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder pressed into action because of the World War II manpower shortage, went 1-for 4 in his major league debut with the St. Louis Browns.

Text

:Q

 

[ThePresence]

Yeah it is strange. Sure, they'll take more time to throw, but they'd also field alot more ground balls down the line because they are wearing their glove on their right hand.