Why can’t I play as a left-handed catcher?
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I realize that there have only been four in major league history. Most recent was in 1989 although he only played a few games for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even as a two-way player, it will only what you pitch right hand when you’re a catcher as your secondary position.
Also, why can’t we select multiple positions as our secondary position? Look at how many multiple position players are in the game now. It’s never been uncommon for a second baseman to also play shortstop. But there are so many players in the major leagues right now they can play almost all positions.
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Try throwing to third with a right handed batter in the batters box.
You'll have your answer.
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@PriorFir4383355_XBL said in Why can’t I play as a left-handed catcher?:
Try throwing to third with a right handed batter in the batters box.
You'll have your answer.
That's not a reason it would be no different then throwing to 1st with a left handed batter for a right handed catcher. Seriously not even a logical argument, if someone wants to be a left handed catcher in RTTS let them. I'm baffled someone would even try and call that a well thought out statement and then use it.
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The real reason no left handers catch is the throw to second is more difficult not the one to third. I’m a lefty and tried it once in high school almost 40 years ago and it was a nightmare.
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The same reason you can't play as a 5' 3" 150 pound offensive tackle.
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Again these are not legitimate reasons if this person is telling the trueth that you can't make a left handed catcher. Doesn't matter if it's harder in real life. This is a video game where you can make a 7' 90lb 105mph under arm throwing SP who throws a 50mph fork ball. And the comparison to madden is again just a foolish argument with no merit. Because you can make a 4' batter that wieghs 300lbs in this game. It is no longer being used to make an online player only offline, so he's argument is a legitimate one.
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The reason there are no lefty catchers is because there are no lefty catchers mitts at a youth level
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The reason's been offered.
It's the same reason why MLB teams prefer certain handiness for other positions. First basemen are more effective with the gloves on their right hands. This because they can maintain a better fielding position when holding a player close at first for a pitcher's potential pick off throw, and also because it gives them a better angle on throws to second with a runner advancing to same. A righty first baseman has to pivot his body to put his glove hand in the same position a lefty can naturally place it. In doing this pivot, a righty first baseman needs more time to move toward second base to make a fielding play.
For the same reason flipped around, teams prefer their third basemen to be righties, since they have their throwing hand toward the foul line. It means they can bare hand a weak dribbler or bunt down the third base line and immediately make the throw. A leftie would have to make more of a turn to angle the throw to first.
This is the precise reason why there are no leftie catchers, and over the history of the game, only a few have proven themselves the exception to the rule. The throw by catcher to third on a stolen base attempt is the prime reason why no lefty catchers.
It is body mechanics. A right handed catcher can keep his feet where they are and make the throw naturally to third. A leftie would have to pivot his hips nearly 90 degrees, and that delay is more than enough to turn a would-be out stealing into a critical stolen base at third.
People then ask, but isn't a leftie catcher then more effective at picking off a runner at first? Yes, but the risk-reward isn't nearly as significant as a stolen base at third. Plus, the catcher would dictate when that pick off throw is made. If you note the most famous example -- Javy Lopez's throw in the 1995 World Series, he sent a signal to the pitcher for a high and inside fastball (bust him in) and when preparing his position, Lopez actually pivoted his right foot behind his hips, with his foot actually pointed to first base. Lopez already cleared his hips to make that throw before the pitch was thrown. Had the base runner (Manny Ramirez) been paying attention, he would have noted Lopez's unusual pre-pitch stance. That foot pointed at first was a tell but Ramirez failed to note it.
So, when Lopez received the throw from Alejandro Pena, he had two things working for him. First, the pitch backed the hitter off the plate and Lopez's feet were in position for the throw. All he had to do was partially stand up to gain the needed leverage to make the throw.
A catcher cannot prepare like this with a runner on second because it puts him in a bad position to block a low pitch, but since the runner at second decides when to steal, the catcher would have to prepare this way with his left foot already pivoted to third to replicate what Lopez did.
Another reason is plays at the plate. A righty has his glove hand facing the third base side of home plate, and that means he can more effectively make a tag play to record the out.
