What do you think of lefty catchers? - Tons of softball drills, softball tips, and advice on softball hitting, softball pitching, coaching softball, softball training, and more.

Marc Dagenais · 06-10-2008, 05:16 AM

Considering most batters are right-handed... is having a left-handed softball catcher a disadvantage? What do you think?

fivepotsogold · 06-10-2008, 03:33 PM

How does a lefty catcher with a right handed batter differ from a right handed catcher with a lefty batter?

I watched the college softball games and there were a TON of players hitting lefty.

I was a catcher...I guess my first thought is throwing to 3rd with a right handed batter.
Tag at home might be a challenge....

But since I'm right handed I had a difficult time visualized throwing left handed anywhere.

J.R. Strickland · 06-12-2008, 07:00 PM

We have a lefty catcher on my daughter's 14U team. So far I see no disadvantage of being a left handed catcher. In bunt situations, I actually think her required footwork and time to get in proper throwing positions is simpler and quicker than for a righthanded catcher.

For example, take a short bunt on the third base side (close enough that a charging 3rd baseman can't get to it in time), a right handed catcher must either circle prior to getting to the ball or pick it up and spin to get into proper throwing position. The left handed catcher simply runs out, picks the ball up and is basically already in the correct throwing position. They do have a little more of challenge down the first base line, but to me not as much as a right handed catcher on the 3rd base side. Make sense?...not sure my explanation is clear but in my mind I can visualize both of our catchers fielding and throwing during our bunt coverage drills.

StacieM · 06-17-2008, 06:14 AM

I've seen, played with,a dn coached a number of left handed catchers (even in college) and didn't really see any big disadvantage because of their left-handedness. Like some others said, they actually have certain things easier.

Jerilyn · 06-18-2008, 01:07 AM

I see no problem with a lefty catcher. Being a catcher myself, there were times that I wish that I was left handed.

06-10-2008, 05:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Dagenais Peak Performance Coach Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 305	What do you think of lefty catchers? Considering most batters are right-handed... is having a left-handed softball catcher a disadvantage? What do you think? __________________ Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS http://www.softballperformance.com Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps players be more confident, mentally tougher, hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, and be more dominant on the field. He also helps coaches win more games and get more out of their team. To get tons of performance-boosting softball tips, tricks, and advice by email, sign-up for his FREE softball newsletter. To quickly and easily boost your performance, check out Marc's powerful softball resources.

06-10-2008, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
fivepotsogold Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 167	Lefty catcher How does a lefty catcher with a right handed batter differ from a right handed catcher with a lefty batter? I watched the college softball games and there were a TON of players hitting lefty. I was a catcher...I guess my first thought is throwing to 3rd with a right handed batter. Tag at home might be a challenge.... But since I'm right handed I had a difficult time visualized throwing left handed anywhere.

06-12-2008, 07:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
J.R. Strickland Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Grayslake, IL Posts: 3	Lefty Catcher - No problem. We have a lefty catcher on my daughter's 14U team. So far I see no disadvantage of being a left handed catcher. In bunt situations, I actually think her required footwork and time to get in proper throwing positions is simpler and quicker than for a righthanded catcher. For example, take a short bunt on the third base side (close enough that a charging 3rd baseman can't get to it in time), a right handed catcher must either circle prior to getting to the ball or pick it up and spin to get into proper throwing position. The left handed catcher simply runs out, picks the ball up and is basically already in the correct throwing position. They do have a little more of challenge down the first base line, but to me not as much as a right handed catcher on the 3rd base side. Make sense?...not sure my explanation is clear but in my mind I can visualize both of our catchers fielding and throwing during our bunt coverage drills.

06-17-2008, 06:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
StacieM Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 97	I've seen, played with,a dn coached a number of left handed catchers (even in college) and didn't really see any big disadvantage because of their left-handedness. Like some others said, they actually have certain things easier. __________________ Stacie Mahoe Coaching Bootcamp now open! Connect with fellow fastpitch fanatics at Fastpitch World.

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06-18-2008, 01:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jerilyn Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12	I see no problem with a lefty catcher. Being a catcher myself, there were times that I wish that I was left handed.