MLB 14 The Show: A History of Left-Handed Infielders

[RaychelSnr]

Last week, I jokingly commented on MLB 14: The Show's fact sheet, which included the addition of "left-handed infielders." To me, this seemed not only an odd thing to add, but an odd thing to publicize.

If you are unfamiliar with why left-handed infielders are so rare, it has to do with fielding and throwing runners out. Lefties field with their right hand, but need to throw to the left (first base) to get the out. This leads to an awkward transition, bad throws, and extra time for the runner. Think about the throw a right-handed first basemen needs to make on a 3-6-3 double play, or a right-handed quarterback who rolls to the left for similar throws.

Read More - MLB 14 The Show: A History of Left-Handed Infielders

[BSUFAN]

It really is kind of odd thing to add to the game but I give them the benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing.

[eaw913]

It definitely is odd, but I think it is a cool addition. It also brings in new animations and added realism. We'll see.

[nemesis04]

I don't think SCEA is advocating an army of left handed infielders. Maybe it is being taken out of context. Maybe it really means now if you stick a lefty at a righty position he will stay a lefty at the position and suffer the consequences. Also means they specifically have left handed throwing animations for those positions which they did not have in the past.

Also I thought these extra fact sheets were for the hardcore crowd? I doubt this would be a back of the box highlight!

[CPRoark]

Quote: Originally Posted by nemesis04

I don't think SCEA is advocating an army of left handed infielders. Maybe it is being taken out of context. Maybe it really means now if you stick a lefty at a righty position he will stay a lefty at the position and suffer the consequences. Also means they specifically have left handed throwing animations which they did not have in the past. Also I thought these extra fact sheets were for the hardcore crowd. I doubt this would be a back of the box highlight!

This is all pretty tongue-in-cheek. I'm certainly not complaining...anything that adds an extra dimension of realism/flexibility to the game is welcome by me!

[Curahee]

The big things is really 2-fold.

#1 if you are a lefty in real life, this gives your CAP an opportunity to play an IF position as a lefty.

#2, in dire situations, this give the user the opportunity to place a lefty at an IF position if necessary and keep him a lefty, rather than the CPU auto-changing him to a righty.

Will I ever use it? No. Im a righty and I have no need for it.
But #2 might pop up one of these days and why not keep him a lefty if he really is a lefty.

[nuke_21]

There are lefty infielders, they're called first basemen

[nomo17k]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

[... If you are unfamiliar with why left-handed infielders are so rare, it has to do with fielding and throwing runners out. Lefties field with their right hand, but need to throw to the left (first base) to get the out. This leads to an awkward transition, bad throws, and extra time for the runner. Think about the throw a right-handed first basemen needs to make on a 3-6-3 double play, or a right-handed quarterback who rolls to the left for similar throws. ...

I actually think this awkwardness factor is exactly the reason the proper animations for left-handed fielders in "inappropriate" positions should be included in the game. The only difference is that SCEA probably should've advertised the new feature *not* as "now we can use left-handed infielders!!" but as something along the line of "left-handed players playing out of natural positions are properly punished by their awkward mechanics."

As you correctly point out, left-handed players are rare in certain positions because they cannot make certain plays naturally and efficiently as right-handed players. So if somebody tries to put them in those unnatural positions, they really should have a good reason to do so, like their offensive contribution significantly surpasses their flaws in fielding.

Without the proper animations, we have been getting free lunch for putting left-handed players into positions for which they should be punished in playing. This has not been the case till MLB 14 (although they may have gotten generic reduction in fielding attribute ratings...).

So I am curious as to how this affects the game play. How much do you get penalized for playing a left-handed second baseman when turning two? Does the game have appropriate animation representing the awkwardness?

I hold my judgement till I actually see the implementation.