Is it an advantage being a lefty or righty when it comes to baseball?

Question

i read an article where it gave 11 reasons why being a lefty is better (the whole article was by some famous scientist at some big college but i forget who it was). i can only remember a few reasons, see if you agree with them

-being a lefty makes the distance between the batters box and first base shorter so you should be quicker down the line

-right fields are typically shorter than left field so its easier to hit the ball out

-there are more right handed pitchers which is a plus for lefty batters because it is easier to pick up the ball (easier for right handed batters when they face left handed pitchers)

-left handed first basemen can cover the line better

-there arent many as many left handed pitchers, so you can get away with throwing slower while pitching

and my own personal reason is that when on TV, left handed batters' swings look so much better. i dont know why this is, but just about every lefty has a sweet swing (might be the angle of the camera or something)

do you agree?

Answer 1

It really just depends on the situation.  It is better to hit left handed as you do have a head start to first base over a right handed hitter.  Major League Baseball has a good variety and mix and it is not like there are way more righty pitchers than lefty so being lefty really helps a lot more when you're younger.  If you got to choose how to you naturally hit you would probably go lefty.

When pitching it is probably better to throw left handed as well because you can develop a good pick off move more easily than a right handed pitcher.

First basemen are usually better lefty because it gives them easier throws to third and easier throws to second for a 3-6-3 DP or something along those lines. They can be right handed though too.

Anywhere else in the infield a right handed thrower is pretty much necessary and just gives an easier throw anywhere.

Outfield really doesnt matter that much at all.

Answer 2

I agree with all those points but lefties does not equal to automatic better hitters.  

Answer 3

It is an advantage to be left handed.  For pitchers, note some of the recent left handers who, despite not bein particularly good have had long lucritive careers.  For hitters, there are more opportunities, since managers prefer to have left handed hitters go up against right handed pitchers.  Finally, there are fewer left handers, so it stands to reason that you have fewer similar players to compete with and therefore more opportunities.  I'm not certain that leftys have better swings, nor does having a great swing assure success.  Pat Burrell has one of the best swings in the game but is only an average hitter.  

Answer 4

-being a lefty makes the distance between the batters box and first base shorter so you should be quicker down the line  

I AGREE ALTHOUGH LEFTIES TEND TO HIT THE BALL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INFIELD MORE WHICH MAKES FOR A SHORTER THROW BY THE DEFENSE

-right fields are typically shorter than left field so its easier to hit the ball out  

DISAGREE

-there are more right handed pitchers which is a plus for lefty batters because it is easier to pick up the ball (easier for right handed batters when they face left handed pitchers)

AGREE - NOT SO MUCH IN PICKING UP THE BALL BUT BECAUSE THE CURVE BALLS ARE BREAKING TOWARD THE LEFTY AND NOT AWAY FROM THEM

-left handed first basemen can cover the line better

AGREE PLUS THEY CAN MAKE THE THROW TO SECOND BETTER, BUT LEFTIES ARE LIMITED TO WHERE THEY CAN PLAY SO THIS ADVANTAGE IS OFFSET BY THE DISADVANTAGE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO CATCH, OR PLAY 2B, SS, OR 3B.

-there arent many as many left handed pitchers, so you can get away with throwing slower while pitching

DISAGREE - SPEED IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS MOVEMENT AND LOCATION.  A SLOW PITCHER WHO THROWS IT OVER THE PLATE WITH NO MOVEMENT IS GOING TO GET HIT HARD WHETHER THEY'RE A LEFTY OR RIGHTY.

and my own personal reason is that when on TV, left handed batters' swings look so much better. i dont know why this is, but just about every lefty has a sweet swing (might be the angle of the camera or something)

DISAGREE - I'M A LEFTY AND A SWITCH HITTER AND MY RIGHTY SWING IS A LOT BETTER THEN MY LEFTY SWING.  THERE ARE SOME LEFTIES WITH NICE SWINGS (Griffey, Thome, ...) BUT THERE ARE SOME WITH NOT GOOD SWINGS (Ichiro).  SAME IS TRUE FOR RIGHTIES.

Answer 5

It's an advantage to be a lefty.