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Left-handed catchers don't get fair shake - Aug 17, 2009 | 13:05:56
posted by: Marta Lawrence
A recent New York Times Story brings to light the somewhat jarring and incomprehensible truth: left-handers aren't welcome behind the plate. What's up with the southpaw discrimination? No one, including several major league catchers and Joe Torre have a good explanation. "Is it because there are more right-handed hitters?" Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann posited in the story. Who knows, but the fact of the matter is that there hasn't been a left-handed catcher in the majors in 20 years. There are some lefties in the youth leagues, but there's not one in the minors--according to the Times, they don't even make a left-handed glove for the pros. Other spots, such as shortstop (there hasn't been a left-handed shortstop in the majors in 100 years) and second base seem to make more sense for a right hander. But, why no left handed catchers? Maybe Mike Squires, a left-hander who caught two innings for the White Sox in 1980 and now scouts for the Reds, has the best reason. "You're talking about old-timers who don't want to change," he told the Times. "I always wanted to be a catcher growing up. But I was not allowed to." Do you know of any left-handed catchers in college baseball? 
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Experience in multiple sports is great for a developing youth. However, success breeds confidence. Bottom line should be life lessons learned.
- Jim Harshaw
   
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