LH players

Question
I have a 15yr old lefty who is fighting what we call  "left handed discrimination" she is an excellent 3rd baseman, the best in the league last year. Due to a coach leaving we had to change teams, several of the prospective coaches and her high school coach have stated that she would not even be allowed to play that side of the field! One even told her that softball was a right-handed sport. What is the best way to counter this ignorance? She intends to play on college and from our research there are currently several left handed players at that level, playing infield on the left side. A little insight would be helpful.... Thanks  

Answer
Hello Ragan,

I am also left handed and unfortunately, you probably aren't going to like what I have to say.  I agree with her high school Coach and feel that it is a tough play for a left hander to make.  She may get away with a ball hit right at her, or to her left, but she cannot make this play if the ball is hit to her right due to simple physics.  You can not throw left while moving right with any velocity.  Throws to second from a left handed third baseman are almost impossible to make in time with fast runners. She is probably a phenomenal athlete and has gotten by at the position so far only because of this.  When you get to the High School and College level, no legitimate Coach will play her there.  Please remember these comments are coming from a left-handed person who had to settle for first base in high school because of the exact reasons I've stated.  I'm not telling you this to be mean, but I feel I'm obligated to be honest with you.  If your daughter does not pitch, you would be much wiser to allow her coaches to play her at first or in the outfield and start learning these positions now.  Please don't be upset by this advice.  Anyone who truly cares about the welfare of your daughter is going to tell you the same thing.


Thank you for the kind words, Ragan!  I would love to catch one of your ball games.  I'm a softball junkie so if I'm ever in Nebraska, I'll definitely do that.  Tell your daughter I wish her the best of luck from a fellow Lefty!