What's it mean when a lefthander slide steps to the plate? Why is this manner of delivering the ball only reserved for righthanders? Typically, righthanders try and get the ball to the plate as quickly as possible. They do this to give the catcher an opportunity to throw the runner out. Yet, lefty's typically lift their leg and "hang" as if they are trying to read the base runner's intention.
When a lefty slide steps to the plate it signals to me one of two things.
1) He has a bad pickoff move and would just as soon not show the move. If the lefty never throws to 1B there is a very good possibility that this is true. The effectiveness of a pickoff move is based upon its' similarity to the delivery to home plate. Throwing to 1B with this urgency seems ineffective.
2) He is well schooled in defending the running game. One way for a LHP to stop the running game is to NOT be a hang guy. The only test to see if the pitcher does have the running game in mind is to see his pickoff move. If he has a decent pickoff move, then he intentionally is defending the running game in a very effective manner.
The manner in which the LHP delivers the ball to home plate tells me a lot about that pitcher and maybe that pitcher's coach. If the lefty is a "hang guy" it tells me he just doesn't get it. If he is quick to the plate it tells me he gets it- intentionally or unintentionally. Lastly, if he is quick to the plate yet shows a decently quick move to 1B he should single handedly stifle the running game.
Now, if the offense doesn't go on 1st lift, you can be a "hang guy" all you want.
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