A lefty in the infield

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Member

• Apr 25, 2010

• #1

I was at a high school game yesterday where the shortstop was a lefty. She did a very good job despite the obvious "handicap" that presents itself. I would assume that she is the best candidate on the team for that position.

My question is: How many unusual is it for a lefty to play infield? (except for first base; which presents no such counter-rotational difficulties)

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #2

Boomer Esiason, ex Quarterback with the Bengals, was a left handed shortstop at Maryland. I seen him play softball games in Northern Kentucky during the summer and he definately had no disadvantages being left handed.

Where going deep into the second base hole ( up the middle)... he could just throw versus a right hander has to either re-square up to throw or throw against his/her body.

The gap in between third and SS .. a lefty has to re-square up. So, personally, I rather have to resquare up in the 3B-SS gap (where many runners are not thrown out on a hit ball anyway) versus the up the middle area.....

Either a lefty or a righty has to resquare up one way or another in one of the gaps.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #3

I have seen Lefties play short and third before but not very often. In some HS programs it may be a matter of the better athlete being able to overcome the challenge of playing the left side of the infield and throwing left. At each higher level it become less likely you will see a lefty playing infield (except first).

I have never heard of a major league lefty at short

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #4

there is a lefty playing in Big10 as a SS. Seen her play Vs. OSU, rare but I have seen it.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #5

I have never seen why people THINK it is a disadvantage having a lefty at SS.

If they catch a ball up the middle they don't haft to resquare up or throw across their body. A thrown ball from the 2B or 1B for a double play .... they throw naturally versus a right hander has to get squared up.

I just never figured why people think that a left handed SS is handicapped at that position.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #6

My daughter is a lefty and plays travel A at second base. The thinking that this is a handicap comes from boys baseball...a very different game on a bigger field. The starting second baseman for Texas A&M is left handed and she does quite well. It takes a little extra work to refine the footwork on turning a double play, but not much more than any good infeilder puts in.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #7

We had a lefty third baseman at the JV level. She did a great job. But we saw at the varsity level that she struggled more on bunt coverage because the speed of play made it more difficult.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #8

yeah i can see a disadvantage at 2nd or 3rd but other than that i have never understood people saying that about ss

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #9

I don't see any disadvantage for a lefty to play SS. As long as they have good footwork, it doesn't matter.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #10

Klump said:

I don't see any disadvantage for a lefty to play SS. As long as they have good footwork, it doesn't matter.

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Thought the same thing. Recently had conversation about lefty at short and couldnt understand the disadvantage. Good athletes can handle it easily. Matter of fact think it is advantage from turning two standpoint.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #11

chstrahl said:

Thought the same thing. Recently had conversation about lefty at short and couldnt understand the disadvantage. Good athletes can handle it easily. Matter of fact think it is advantage from turning two standpoint.

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That's what I always thought, too. It is easier to turn two and also recover from catching a hit ball up the middle and throwing to first base

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #12

I don't see any issues with being a lefty in the infield. I can see advantages and disadvantages for being a lefty and a righty.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #13

brownsfan said:

I don't see any issues with being a lefty in the infield. I can see advantages and disadvantages for being a lefty and a righty.

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Good athletes are good athletes. Left or right. Maybe coaches arent being fair because of the profiling of lefties through the years. I personally think lefties are a diamond in the rough if you (coaches) can train them properly.

 

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• Apr 25, 2010

• #14

Ive always for some reason thought that leftys just make everything look easier . If the shortstop is from Logan Elm shes a good one and a helluva an athlete!

 

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• Apr 26, 2010

• #15

We have a lefty at 2nd playing Varsity. She has been able to cut off the middle with the glove on her right hand much better than a righty would. She has learned to make a good solid throw from that hole without a problem. This kid is exceptional and her success may not be duplicated by other mere mortals but I certainly have no problem with her at 2nd. 3rd and short have a tougher, longer throw and third has that uncomfortable angle. I'd tend to use them at 1st, catcher and 2nd.... .

 

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• Apr 26, 2010

• #16

My daughter is a lefty and is a 12u on Cincy Static 97- she is getting some time at short stop for the first time ever. Every coach she has played for up to this point has said the same thing "If she weren't a lefty she would be our shortstop". Athleticly she won't have a problem, but because for 4 years no one put her in the infield (except 1st) she has a learning curve.