left handed player

Question
Dear Mike,

My daughter is a 15 year old lefty with a good bat and solid skills at first base and right field. She has been offered a spot to play on two different ASA 16U teams. One will develop her at first base to prepare her to play in college. The other team wants to develop her as a catcher. My question is, would she be overlooked as a first baseman at the college level because of her height? She is 5 ft. 3 inches. Also, I always thought that it would be a disadvantage to be a lefty catcher. Is this true?

Thanks for your assistance.

Answer
Hello Sandy,

To be honest, first base is not a defensive position that is typically recruited by colleges.  Unless you daughter has phenomenal speed or an excellent bat, playing first base is not a position that is going to get her to college.  This isn't a tough position to learn and most colleges will recruit big hitters and use them at first base due to the fact that this position requires the least defensive skills.  If you have an opportunity to have your daughter taught the catching position by a top notch travel coach, I'd definitely lean in that direction.  This is not as disadvantaged for a left hander as many think.  I've outlined that in a previous answer.

Now, the thing you need to remember is that this needs to be a decision made by your daughter, not you.  Present her with this information and discuss it with both coaches, but she needs to ultimately make the final decision.  If she is as good as you say, her hitting will get her to the next level and she can be taught the first base position there.  Make sure she understands that catching requires a huge amount of commitment and is the toughest position both mentally and physically to play.  Please let me know what you decide and I wish her luck.

Coach Mike