Lefty in Left Field?

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Apr 26, 2015
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DD is a lefty with a great arm. She is speedy and can track a ball. She has always played catcher or CF. Recently AC decided he wanted his DD to play CF so DD has been moved to left. I'm thinking this is not the best spot for a lefty...thoughts? I mean she CAN do it, but it's not a "natural" position for her. AND...she has been covering a lot of plays that should have been the CF's ball because CF doesn't move. If the ball isn't in her range of about 10 feet you can forget it.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
DD is a lefty with a great arm. She is speedy and can track a ball. She has always played catcher or CF. Recently AC decided he wanted his DD to play CF so DD has been moved to left. I'm thinking this is not the best spot for a lefty...thoughts? I mean she CAN do it, but it's not a "natural" position for her. AND...she has been covering a lot of plays that should have been the CF's ball because CF doesn't move. If the ball isn't in her range of about 10 feet you can forget it.

I mean, it may a bit more awkward for a lefty to make a throw from left to second but not nearly as much as a lefty playing SS or 3B or a lefty playing 2nd and throwing to 1st. There have been plenty of lefty throwing LF in MLB.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Can she hit? That is the #1 requirement for any outfielder. If she is athletic she will have no problem in LF and it is yet another position to keep her in the batting order. Also keep in mind that balls hit to CF are mistakes by the pitcher. Balls hit to LF especially in foul territory are often by design. If she can be aggressive and attack everything all the way to the fence she will be a rock star.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
DD is a lefty with a great arm. She is speedy and can track a ball. She has always played catcher or CF. Recently AC decided he wanted his DD to play CF so DD has been moved to left. I'm thinking this is not the best spot for a lefty...thoughts? I mean she CAN do it, but it's not a "natural" position for her. AND...she has been covering a lot of plays that should have been the CF's ball because CF doesn't move. If the ball isn't in her range of about 10 feet you can forget it.

I love how everyone is answering the "Is left field ok for lefty" title instead of the real question asked which is "Daddy Coach put his DD in CF and my DD had to move. Isn't this wrong?"

Just so I can join in: I have never considered which hand they throw with in the outfield.
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
I love how everyone is answering the "Is left field ok for lefty" title instead of the real question asked which is "Daddy Coach put his DD in CF and my DD had to move. Isn't this wrong?"

Just so I can join in: I have never considered which hand they throw with in the outfield.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking more along those lines. Great outfielders make great plays no matter left, right or center. To be able to judge the spin off the bat from a lefty or righty batter takes practice and talent, as well as chasing those shots into the corners.

No matter where she plays, help her be the best at it that she can be.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Pretty sure a vast majority of MLB lefty fielders are left handed throwers including several who have won gold gloves.

As quincy said in the OF doesn't matter what hand you throw with. The only positions where being a left handed thrower in softball are a detriment are 2B, 3B & SS.

Now whether or not your DD is better than the coaches kid in CF is a separate question but not handedness is not really relevant to that discussion.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
I mean, it may a bit more awkward for a lefty to make a throw from left to second but not nearly as much as a lefty playing SS or 3B or a lefty playing 2nd and throwing to 1st. There have been plenty of lefty throwing LF in MLB.

A lefty throwing to 2B from LF is no more awkward than a righty throwing to 2B from RF.

Lefty play at SS is awkward because of the throw-down to 2B on a steal more than anything else. With decent footwork, a lefty can easily play 2B; their throw to 2B/3B is natural, and on a bunt rotation to 1B, their glove is on the desirable side.
 

ian

Jun 11, 2015
1,175
48
Just roll with the daddy ball if it's school ball. If it's travel daddy ball find another team ASAP. There are honest coaches out there, daddy ball coaches are dishonest.

My lefty was platooning in right field and batting 7 on her 14u daddy ball team that lost 80% of their games last spring. She tried out for a 16-18 team and she EARNED (a word daddy ball coaches know nothing about) a starting job at second and batted leadoff every game summer and fall on a team that won 95% of their games.

Also, if it's school ball a player might get more out of doing track and field than playing for a daddy ball coach.
 

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