In particular elbow problems. It seems that lefties are more apt to have elbow and serious arm problems from pitching than righties. Is there any explanation for this?
2007-03-02 11:14:23 · 7 answers · asked by Jeff S 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I do not care what anyone says, lefty's do not have a better"natural" curve than right-handers; the physics of the human body does not differentiate for that. It just does not exist.
I also do not believe that a lefty is more prone to injury; I do think that because of their rarity we become more aware of their injuries when they do occur. If a right-hander gets an injured pitching arm, there are dozens behind him in the minor leagues to replace him.
As left-handers are fewer in number and are wanted by everyone because they are rare, they are in the news more and we hear more about their injuries.
2007-03-03 00:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you've ever played with a lefty you know that the ball comes of of their hand differently. Can't say for sure why this is, BUT I do know for sure that lefties have a better natural curveball than righties. Not saying that righties don't have a good curve, but naturally the ball comes out of the lefties hand it has curveball spin. When breaking down the arm motion involved in the curveball, it is very visible that much more torque and strain is applied to the elbow. This onsets arm problems, especially elbow related. The overhand throwing motion in baseball is not natural to the body, but throwing the ball underhand actually is natural. This is why a good softball pitcher can throw 3 games in one day, where a good baseball pitcher can throw 7 innings on a good day. I can't break it down exactly, but it definately has to do with the difference in natural arm movement between righties and lefties, and anyone who has ever face an 80 to 90 mph fastball off both a righty and a lefty can attest to this. I'm a righty, and honestly, I'd rather face a right handed pitcher, contrary to most popular baseball beliefs.
Great Question, hope this helps.
2007-03-02 19:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by Nick J 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
it might have to do with the way they are taught to throw.there is a ton more righties than lefties so people just think showing someone a pitch the way a righty throws it that it automatically translates the same to a lefty.bottom line is righties teach righties,lefties teach lefties.its like a right handed teacher trying to show a left handed person how to write.
2007-03-06 16:30:00 · answer #3 · answered by mike hunt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed this, too, and the only thing I can think of is that there is a difference in motion control. According to sports scientists, a pitching motion is about as unnatural of a throwing motion as there is and can cause heavy stress on arms. My theory is that right handers have better control over this motion because the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of your body, is more adapt at networking physical activities. A left hander uses the right side of the brain, which is more for thought and art.
2007-03-02 19:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by Will the Thrill 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One word-OVERUSE. As a youth, lefties are seen less often, usually harder to hit & since so many 'hometown coaches' take winning too seriously, they put it ahead of a kids future. Teenage arms are torqued to the limit in their developing stages, then poof! To a lesser degree, but still true, the same holds true through the minors & even still a little in the majors.
2007-03-03 02:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by Mowolfon 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
simply put, since there are less lefties, there are less lefty coaches. Thus, they are not taught as properly on the techniques/mechanics of pitching.
2007-03-02 23:05:46 · answer #6 · answered by heynow 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thier arms are not as strong because men use thier right hand/arm to..................well you know.
2007-03-02 19:17:43 · answer #7 · answered by tds_1967 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋