I throw R-handed but I bat as a L-handed, Am I weird?

by Dio Cesonis
(Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Dio asked: Since I started playing baseball here in Brazil, I chose to bat as a lefty.

(That time, I didn't even know that the left batter box was closer to the first base nor thought about some kind of advantage) and until now, I can't even think about bat as a righty (I tried a lot, since I wanted to be a switch hitter) and I AM right handed.

But, I'm the only one around the team who has this weird habit.

How could I explain that?

Should I stop and retry to bat as a righty?

Thanks in advance.


Rick answered: Dio, thank you for your question.

There is certainly nothing wrong with throwing right handed and batting left.

There is nothing wrong in throwing left handed and batting right.

The deciding factor for players is which side do they feel more comfortable hitting from.

You are correct that batting left handed does put you closer to first base, so that is somewhat of an advantage. However, it is not enough of an advantage if you are not comfortable hitting from that side.

Switch hitting is not an easy thing to accomplish. There are those players that manage to do it successfully; but the numbers are few.

It doubles your batting practice time, as you have to work from both sides. Time becomes a factor, and quite often switch hitters end up short changing themselves from both sides.

If you feel good from the left side, and are having success, that is, you see the ball well, are able to put a good swing on it and hit it hard, that is all you can ask of yourself.

That is essentially the definition of a good at bat.

Whatever happens after the ball leaves the bat is out of your control.

I would be interested in learning a little more about your baseball situation and what is causing you to second guess which side you hit from.

Hitting a baseball is one of the tougher athletic skills to master in all of sports. It takes a high degree of concentration to be a consistent hitter, which requires that a hitter's head be clear of everything except, "see the ball, hit the ball", when they are in the batter's box.

The pictures above are just two examples of players who throw right, bat left. Baseball at all levels is filled with players who are doing just what you are.

If you are physically comfortable and like your swing, concentrate on your mechanics and repetitions from the left side and let your mind work on seeing the baseball.

Good luck as you go forward. Relax and have fun, turn it loose!!!


Yours in baseball,

Rick