Righty 1B vs. Lefty 1B.

It's one of four positions that can be played by a player that is either right or lefthanded. What oppotunity does each present?

The only manner in which this matters is if you have some built in offensive packages that can be used to exploit the handedness of the 1B.

Lets look at the righthanded firstbaseman. The righthanded 1B is lined up to throw home with little difficulty. In other words, if he receives the ball at 1B he can throw to home plate with squaring beforehand. He is already squared to his target. The righthanded 1B becomes vulnerable to the throw to 2B. With a righty on 1st, you might be more inclined to steal 2B off of a lefty. Knowing that if you get picked off there is still a considerable burden on the 1B who must clear for the throw.

The lefthanded 1B is facing 2B when he receives the ball. This makes the bunt a little more problematic. It also allows the lefty an easier opportunity to apply a tag at 1st and to record any out at 2B for that matter. Where the lefty 1B has a difficulty is with a hurried throw home.

This comes into play with what I call a double first lift. Runners on 1st and 3rd. Lefthanded picther lifts his leg and both runners take off. If the throw goes to 1B, the 1B has a potential play at home plate. However, the runner at 3B had a big head start and the 1B needs to unload quickly. The time needed to square his shoulders could be costly.

Granted, the play seldom happens. But, in amateur baseball when runs are always at a premium, noting the handedness of the 1B can have an impact on some of these plays.

In general, I would much rather prefer a lefty 1B over a righty because of the ease of the throws to 2B. Yet, here is one example where a lefty 1B is at a disadvantage.