3 min read · Apr 8, 2023
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If you are an ardent baseball fan, you would know that the game is not just about hitting the ball with a bat, but also about the pitcher’s art of throwing it. And in this game of angles, the pitcher’s handedness plays a crucial role in gaining an advantage over the batter. But, what is this advantage, and why does it matter? Let’s dive into the world of baseball and understand it from a pitcher’s perspective, with a hint of humour!
The age-old assumption that a right-handed pitcher has an advantage over a left-handed batter, and vice versa, is not a myth. The angle of the ball’s approach is the key to understanding this. A right-handed pitcher releases the ball closer to the third base, which forces the right-handed hitter to “push” the ball or hit it the other way, making it more challenging. However, a left-handed pitcher would release the ball closer to the first base, which allows more room for a right-handed hitter to “pull” the ball. Moreover, the sidearm pitchers and pitches that move horizontally increase this angle advantage even more.
Most pitchers prefer to pitch “inside,” whereas most batters have trouble hitting “inside.” In theory, right-handed pitchers have trouble pitching to left-handed batters because the right-handed pitcher’s “inside” is the left-handed batter’s “outside.” However, Jose Bautista, of the Toronto Blue Jays, is the exception to this rule, whose forte is hitting inside (and is weaker outside). Left-handed pitchers do better against him because their inside is his outside.
A left-handed batter facing a left-handed pitcher throwing sidearm (or vice versa) is downright intimidating. The ball basically starts behind the hitter, making it more challenging to track the ball out of the pitcher’s hand. It feels like the ball is sneaking up on the batter, making him respond later with his eyes. When a left-handed sidearm pitcher throws a sharp breaking ball to a left-handed batter, lefties can hold opposing batters to batting averages under .200.
Many of today’s best left-handed pitchers have developed an excellent Change-Up, popularized by Tom Glavine, Johan Santana, and Cole Hamels. Since there are far more right-handed batters than left, they needed a pitch that would break away instead of towards the right-handed hitters. For pitchers who primarily use a fastball change-up, the 4 seam fastball should still be a tougher pitch for the left-on-left matchup.
The last thing is that everyone, both left and right-handed hitters, see far fewer left-handed pitchers throughout their careers. Just being unfamiliar and unique is an advantage to the lefty pitcher. So, if you are a left-handed pitcher, you already have a bonus point in your favour.
In conclusion, handedness plays a crucial role in the game of baseball, especially from the pitcher’s perspective. The angle of the ball’s approach, the inside vs outside battle, the pitcher’s delivery, change-up, and unfamiliarity are some factors that give a left-handed pitcher an edge over the right-handed one. So, the next time you watch a baseball game, keep an eye on the pitcher’s handedness, and you may see something you hadn’t noticed before!
