why don't you see many lefties playing catcher i think it would be fun to play there but ive never seen a lefty catcher one what are the disadvantages of being a lefty catcher compared to righty?
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Catching is fun, whichever hand you throw with. Throwing over the batter to 2nd almost every batter is the main disadvantage. That is one reason you don't see them.
Then there's the sdjustment the pitchers would have to make throwing to a "mirror image" of what they're used to seeing.
I would say the main reason would be what Dad04 said, throwing over the batter.
One reason I like a lh hitter in the two hole behind my leadoff.
That is a great reason, I've never even thought of that.
Throws should be made to the right hand side of the bag also. Lefties would have to throw at more of an angle.
My son is a lefty who used to do some catching. He was always told the issue with a lefty catching is the throw to third because a lefty has to turn his body a bit to make an accurate throw as opposed to a righty throwing to third. Never seem to present a challenge for him though. However, most coaches will NEVER allow a lefty to try catching.
The throw to third would be the last concern. The fact that most hitters are rh and the obstruction that rh hitters would give on the throw. The fact that the throw to second base needs to be on the right side and lh catchers would have to throw across their body at an angle to get it there. And most lh kids have alot of movement on their throws anyway. I dont know about you guys but I have not seen many lh kids that could throw anything straight. Pitcher, 1b and of. Thats where your going to play if your lh. Its just the way it is. Five out of nine aint bad.
well i go to a small high school and we arent very competative baseball wise so i just thought it would be fun to try that position
They just look bad back there. What other reason do you need? 
One of our sons is a catcher. Coaches love the fact that he cathes right but is their left handed power hitter
Well I have first-hand info about playing as a left handed catcher, hence my screen name lol. I have been catching for most of my life and will be playing college baseball as a left handed catcher next year. Most people will say the right handed hitter will be in the way on a throw down to second, which is never the case. How many times does a right handed catcher have trouble with a left handed batter? never. The only real concern some people have is about the throw to third. With a right handed batter, the time it takes for a lefty to make a jump pivot and throw to third is almost the same as it takes for a righty to shuffle behind the hitter. There are advantages on the throw to first in pickoffs, blocked third strikes, bunts, home to first double plays... Also, there are more right handed pitchers, and a left handed catcher has an easier job recieving for a righty than a righty catcher would. People have told me all my life how it does not work, yet I am still playing and keep proving people wrong.
leftycatcher makes some great points. I have never understood the reasoning and I believe it is a weird and baseless tradition that has evolved over time in baseball and ought to be discarded.
I don't think this is just a matter of tradition. Many of the drawbacks have been touched upon above. It is a very tough throw to third for a lefty catcher as well as to first.
Also, on a play at the plate, the runner is coming into the glove hand of the traditional right handed catcher (and the catcher is facing the field to get the throw from any angle as the runner comes into him), whereas a lefty would have to turn his body significantly away from the field and to make the tag (while trying to still face the field for the throw).
Lefty catchers, like lefty 2nd, 3rd and shortstops just ain't right.
Also, on a play at the plate, the runner is coming into the glove hand of the traditional right handed catcher (and the catcher is facing the field to get the throw from any angle as the runner comes into him), whereas a lefty would have to turn his body significantly away from the field and to make the tag (while trying to still face the field for the throw).
Lefty catchers, like lefty 2nd, 3rd and shortstops just ain't right.
The problem is throwing runners out. It's that simple.
We are talking about tenths of a second that determine a good catcher from a bad one. 2.0 flat is an average catcher. 1.8 is a catcher that can throw great to the bases.
Locating arm side away, which would be the side away from your arm side, is much harder than locating arm side. This goes for pitchers, too. Throwing across your body and locating is more difficult than locating arm-side.
Ball movement is another issue. A throw to 2nd from a lefty may cause his ball to run back over to the other side of the bag. Same for 3rd. A righties ball, if it runs, will run to the tag side of the bag for a more accurate throw for a potential base stealer.
Batter in the battersbox is another. And as someone mentioned above, a common strategy is to bat a lefty in the 2-hole, to make the throw to 2nd more difficult for the right handed catcher. It's easier to throw and be accurate when your arm can work freely, and not be restricted or have your arm stroke interrupted by the batter. The fact is, more players bat righty than lefty, so a righty catcher will have more freedom in a 9-man lineup to throw down without a player standing arm side.
The throw to 3rd is a whole other issue. Pitcher's comfort and target recognition.
One major key to the game of baseball is keeping your double play in order. Keep runners out of scoring position. Protecting 2nd base and 3rd base is very important, and you can't afford to leave anything to chance.
You can get away with a lefty catcher in high school, but as each level goes by, the runners get quicker, smarter, and more mature.
We are talking about tenths of a second that determine a good catcher from a bad one. 2.0 flat is an average catcher. 1.8 is a catcher that can throw great to the bases.
Locating arm side away, which would be the side away from your arm side, is much harder than locating arm side. This goes for pitchers, too. Throwing across your body and locating is more difficult than locating arm-side.
Ball movement is another issue. A throw to 2nd from a lefty may cause his ball to run back over to the other side of the bag. Same for 3rd. A righties ball, if it runs, will run to the tag side of the bag for a more accurate throw for a potential base stealer.
Batter in the battersbox is another. And as someone mentioned above, a common strategy is to bat a lefty in the 2-hole, to make the throw to 2nd more difficult for the right handed catcher. It's easier to throw and be accurate when your arm can work freely, and not be restricted or have your arm stroke interrupted by the batter. The fact is, more players bat righty than lefty, so a righty catcher will have more freedom in a 9-man lineup to throw down without a player standing arm side.
The throw to 3rd is a whole other issue. Pitcher's comfort and target recognition.
One major key to the game of baseball is keeping your double play in order. Keep runners out of scoring position. Protecting 2nd base and 3rd base is very important, and you can't afford to leave anything to chance.
You can get away with a lefty catcher in high school, but as each level goes by, the runners get quicker, smarter, and more mature.
quote:Originally posted by Prospectwire:
The problem is throwing runners out. It's that simple.
We are talking about tenths of a second that determine a good catcher from a bad one. 2.0 flat is an average catcher. 1.8 is a catcher that can throw great to the bases.
Matt, 2.0 flat is average for who?? High school? College?? Pro?
1.8 is great for who? High school? College?
Are you refering to game throws or training enviornment/showcase throws?
quote:Originally posted by Catching Coach:quote:Originally posted by Prospectwire:
The problem is throwing runners out. It's that simple.
We are talking about tenths of a second that determine a good catcher from a bad one. 2.0 flat is an average catcher. 1.8 is a catcher that can throw great to the bases.
Matt, 2.0 flat is average for who?? High school? College?? Pro?
1.8 is great for who? High school? College?
Are you refering to game throws or training enviornment/showcase throws?
Catching Coach,
My times were just as an example to prove that tenths of a second can decide a catcher's career behind the plate. I didnt want to get too technical with it.
Just for the sake of expanding on your question though, I would break down it by the following:
Pop Times
Major League Average: 1.90 seconds
HS Average: 2.00 seconds, maybe 2.05
This can be interpreted that if you throw a 2.0 in the big leagues, you are below average. If you throw a 2.0 in high school, you are about average. This is just arm strength. Catchers are obviously evaluated for receiving, blocking, leadership qualities, ability to manage a staff and a game, etc.
The showcase/game question is really just player-specific. Are the people running the showcase letting the catcher get away with a half squat, or are they being strict with him? Does a player in a game situation feel a greater sense of urgency and perform quicker throws under the game pressure?
Hope I answered your question.
Matt, I have to disagree. I can't buy the .1 of a second difference between the high school average and the MLB average.
Not sure what you mean here. Are you making a comparison between a game poptime and a showcase poptime? If so, the experienced catcher doesn't go into what I think you are calling a "full squat" with a baserunner on during game situations. Therefore the "squat" of the catcher shouldn't enter into the showcase vs. game pop time. However the catcher can decrease their poptimes in non-game evaluations by moving forward into the plate area as they receive the pitch. If they try this during a game they will get "bat smacked" and be called for catcher's interference!
Fungo
quote:Are the people running the showcase letting the catcher get away with a half squat
Not sure what you mean here. Are you making a comparison between a game poptime and a showcase poptime? If so, the experienced catcher doesn't go into what I think you are calling a "full squat" with a baserunner on during game situations. Therefore the "squat" of the catcher shouldn't enter into the showcase vs. game pop time. However the catcher can decrease their poptimes in non-game evaluations by moving forward into the plate area as they receive the pitch. If they try this during a game they will get "bat smacked" and be called for catcher's interference!
Fungo
quote:Originally posted by Fungo:quote:Are the people running the showcase letting the catcher get away with a half squat
Not sure what you mean here.
I think he's referring to "primary" versus "secondary" positions?