What pitches should a lefty throw?
The best southpaws (top 30 percent) throw their four-seam fastballs and sinkers at about the same velocity as the average or median right-handed pitcher (actually a tick slower). The gap is a bit larger on changeups and curveballs, with the best lefties’ velocity lower than the average righties’.
Are lefties better at pitching?
Both left-handed pitchers and batters do better in baseball. Since the majority of hitters are right-handed, lefty pitchers are considered valuable. A curveball from a left-hander breaks inside on a righty – a harder pitch to hit.
Why do lefty pitchers have an advantage?
Traditionally, left-handed pitchers have an advantage over right-handed pitchers simply because most batters have not faced as many left-handed throwers in their lifetime to adequately adjust to seeing the pitches coming out of a left hand.
How do you throw a better change up?
Change up grip
- Use your thumb and index fingers to create a circle or an “OK” on the ball.
- Center the baseball between your three other fingers (as shown in the middle picture above right).
- Throw this pitch with the same arm speed and body mechanics as a fastball.
What baseball position is best for a lefty?
First base is the only position where having a left-handed player is preferred. The left-handed first baseman’s glove is on his right hand and that puts him closer to the fielders when a ball is thrown. It also gives him a better angle when it comes to stretching for the ball and picking up errant throws in the dirt.
What percentage of pitchers are lefties?
“Just look at the numbers. While only 10 percent of the population is left-handed, 25 percent of major leaguers are. Of the 61 pitchers enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 13 are left-handed, or 21 percent, more than twice that in the general population.
Why do lefty swings look better?
Lefties “have a little bit more of a loop” to their swings, Clark said, making them appear more graceful. But why that is, he couldn’t say. Clark videotapes his swing and analyzes it. He noted that, if you compare a lefty to a righty on videotape-frame by frame-they look the same.