As the dad of a lefty DD catcher, I AGREE COMPLETELY!! lol Now, where is Patty Gasso's number...I had it around here somewhere.
View attachment 22310
Yup, Mom of lefty catcher here. Here's one of my faves:
As the dad of a lefty DD catcher, I AGREE COMPLETELY!! lol Now, where is Patty Gasso's number...I had it around here somewhere.
View attachment 22310
DD has played with two exceptional left-handed catchers in her travel career; both are D-1 commits. I totally agree with the "advantage" of the pick 1st vs throw to 3rd. With that being said, the left-handed catcher is absolutely at a disadvantage with receiving a throw on a play at the plate. Lefty has to cross their body to apply the tag whereas a righty has a quicker, natural swipe tag. I have seen runners coming up safe many times on close plays because it takes that extra split second to get the tag around, especially on throws from RF.
Then you are moving away from the play, tagging away from the play, taking your eyes off of the play....should a left put their right heel on that front left corner (at least for throws from RF or CF) or maybe a couple of feet up the line, in order to rotate backward (again, in direction of throw) with the ball in mitt?
All catchers should make that tag with the ball in hand, hand in mitt to assure that the ball is not jarred loose.Then you are moving away from the play, tagging away from the play, taking your eyes off of the play....
Michelle Venturella pops to mind as a lefty who had great success as a collegiate all-American and Olympic catcher...