Baseball handedness and kids, Little league, etc.

[Sapporo]

I have a 3 year old son with a modest interest in baseball among other things. Every time he’s grabbed a plastic/foam bat in a right-handed stance I’ve told him he wasn’t holding it right and turned him around lefty. He’s a natural righty but he’s never really objected either when I turn him around. He now stands lefty by default.  Assuming it sticks...have I made baseball an easier game for him for the rest of his life, or have I hindered him by going against his natural predisposition?

[volcano]

My guy is 13 He is a left-handed hitter but I've always encouraged him to try switch-hitting. His coaches now coach is now encourage it at a competitive level

[jcbarr]

Lots of different theories on this one. My Dad turned me around left handed because he said that I could generate more bat speed pulling the bat with my strong side than I could pushing it. Eventually I learned to switch hit and just like Chipper Jones, I had more power left handed, but I controlled the bat better and made more contact right handed.

I would say as long as his swing looks easy and effortless (hard to tell at 3) then I would let it go. Its all about being comfortable in the box. There were times that I would hit right handed against certain right handed pitchers just because I was more comfortable with it. Go with and see how his swing develops.

If you make him a left handed pitcher, then I would whole heartedly agree that you have made baseball easier for him :-)

[jtm0003]

We're adopting an 11 year old from foster care that wants to play baseball. What do y'all recommend to at least get him back into the swing of things (pun intended)?

[Greg]

Having coached tee ball up to 15 year olds I only have one recommendation. Put a bat in a child’s hand and see what they do. Same with a ball. My 11 year old bats lefty and throws righty. Neither I pushed. I have had pushy parents try and push the switch hitting, with bad results. Once you see what hand they like to throw with focus on hitting. Younger kids look good at first but you will see the more details or instruction you provide, they will favor one side over another. 

Justin congrats on the adoption. Kudos to you for that. For an older child I always recommend making it fun. Diving into the X and Os will bore them quickly. Focus on their strengths. I have a ton of drills if you need any for this age.

[Sapporo]

Lots of different theories on this one. My Dad turned me around left handed because he said that I could generate more bat speed pulling the bat with my strong side than I could pushing it. Eventually I learned to switch hit and just like Chipper Jones, I had more power left handed, but I controlled the bat better and made more contact right handed.

I would say as long as his swing looks easy and effortless (hard to tell at 3) then I would let it go. Its all about being comfortable in the box. There were times that I would hit right handed against certain right handed pitchers just because I was more comfortable with it. Go with and see how his swing develops.

If you make him a left handed pitcher, then I would whole heartedly agree that you have made baseball easier for him :-)

I’ve heard that theory before. Like a kid holding his hand high up on a hammer for control but once he’s bigger he no longer needs that extra control and can slide down on the handle and could use the dominant hand for extra power.  Oddly enough my little squirt holds it crosshanded with his right hand on top as a lefty. I’ve not forced the issue but plan on switching him later as he grows.

Forcing left-hand throw seemed a bit much to me. I played college and independent league as a pitcher but was only 6’0”. He seems to favor the build of his grandfathers who are shorter than me so if he’s got any chance I figured it’s as an infielder so right hand throw is the way to go there. I’ve heard the Billy Wagner story about switching throwing hands but I just don’t know. In college I sat out a season with injury and out of boredom would grab one of the left-handers gloves and play catch left-handed. It took a while but I eventually could get to about 90 feet. I was proud I could do that and can’t imagine being competitive, much less major league caliber like Wagner was at 100+.  It seems that was about the time I dipped my feet into my first Sim league in the PFBL. I no longer have access to my college email address that I used when I first joined so I can’t recall the exact year to confirm.

We're adopting an 11 year old from foster care that wants to play baseball. What do y'all recommend to at least get him back into the swing of things (pun intended)?

Wow, that’s very honorable. I guess it depends on his experience. I remember hearing Mark McGuire started playing as a 13 y.o. So he’s got a 2 year head start there.

[jcbarr]

Having coached tee ball up to 15 year olds I only have one recommendation. Put a bat in a child’s hand and see what they do. Same with a ball. My 11 year old bats lefty and throws righty. Neither I pushed. I have had pushy parents try and push the switch hitting, with bad results. Once you see what hand they like to throw with focus on hitting. Younger kids look good at first but you will see the more details or instruction you provide, they will favor one side over another. 

Justin congrats on the adoption. Kudos to you for that. For an older child I always recommend making it fun. Diving into the X and Os will bore them quickly. Focus on their strengths. I have a ton of drills if you need any for this age.

This!! First and foremost just let the kid play. Trying to force anything is never going to work, but suggesting and teaching will do wonders.

[Sapporo]

...to be clear, I never forced anything...just implied he was doing it wrong and he went along with it. lol.

[jcbarr]

I wasn't trying to say that you did. I've just seen way too many kids with great potential end up hating the game because of being forced to do something, or just having overbearing parents.

Most important thing is that he is playing the greatest game on the planet!

[Sapporo]

I read this MLB article on Juan Soto and reminded me of this discussion. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/why-juan-soto-i...icle-share