Left Handed Catcher

[nbcards]

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/44139204/

Can you make a left handed catcher in mlb the show?

[jseward92]

Quote: Originally Posted by nbcards

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/44139204/ Can you make a left handed catcher in mlb the show?

No you cant

[fatheifer]

Why the heck not?

[Threeebs]

Quote: Originally Posted by fatheifer

Why the heck not?

You may not have noticed but there are no left handed catchers. I've never even heard of one. I don't know why for sure but it may have to do with a combination of pitchers not being comfortable pitching to a right handed glove and the fact that their hand would then be flipped when showing signs to a pitcher and if they flip flopped between right handed and left handed signs, it could become too confusing for them. As far as throwing to bases, I don't understand why a lefty couldn't excel in that area. He's already facing 1st base for any tappers in front of the box, 2nd base is still directly in front of him and a snap throw to 3rd may prevent more base runners from stealing 3rd.

Lefty's are relegated to pitching, first base and the outfield...

[BestServedCold]

Quote: Originally Posted by fatheifer

Why the heck not?

There has not been a left handed catcher in the MLB in literally 100 years. Logan Schafer is listed as the emergency catcher for the Brewers though, so this might change soon.


The reason for this is that lefties who can throw well enough to play catcher are usually made into pitchers (a left handed pitcher is far more valuable than a left handed catcher- who is at a disadvantage throwing to 3B).

[Jr.]

There have been a few LH catchers, but the last in the majors was about 20 years ago.

They're rare because baseball works counter-clockwise and is RH dominant, so it makes it harder for LH catchers to throw out base runners at 2nd and 3rd (throwing arm is the same side as a RH batter in the box, makes it harder to make a strong, accurate throw.. also have to turn their bodies to throw to 3rd as opposed to just stepping around a batter or sliding feet for a RH catcher).

[Jr.]

Quote: Originally Posted by BestServedCold

There has not been a left handed catcher in the MLB in literally 100 years. Logan Schafer is listed as the emergency catcher for the Brewers, so this might change soon. The reason for this is that lefties who can throw well enough to play catcher are usually made into pitchers (a left handed pitcher is far more valuable than a left handed catcher- who is at a disadvantage throwing to 3B).

Benny Distefano caught in the MLB in the late 80s.

[BDKiiing]

Quote: Originally Posted by BestServedCold

There has not been a left handed catcher in the MLB in literally 100 years. Logan Schafer is listed as the emergency catcher for the Brewers, so this might change soon. The reason for this is that lefties who can throw well enough to play catcher are usually made into pitchers (a left handed pitcher is far more valuable than a left handed catcher- who is at a disadvantage throwing to 3B).

That alone made me wish we could have lefties stay as lefties to catch. hah.