Why does there seem to be a disproportionately large amount of left handed people in baseball?

Answer 1

Baseball as a selective profession actively seeks left-handed talent (or at least, talent that can play left-handed).

Handedness doesn't make a lot of difference in many fields, but it does (or is perceived to) make a difference on the diamond.

Answer 2

You're slightly wrong with your observation. Many left handed batters are actually right handed. They throw right and do everything right handed except bat. A left handed batter has two big advantages compared to right handed batters. Number one they are closer to first base, so a fast runner can get there a couple of steps quicker. Number two, most pitchers from little league to the majors are right handed. The pitches naturally break toward them, instead of away. Many fairly talented youngsters are taught to bat left handed somewhere along the line to take advantage of this. So if all the right handed people batted right handed it wouldn't seem so disproportionate.

Answer 3

It's easier to hit pitching of the opposite hand, ie. left-handed batter versus a right-handed pitcher.

Most people throw right-handed, hence the large number of lefties.
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