Date:  Tue, 23 Jan 1996 19:49:20 -0500

From:  Ronald Butters <amspeech[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ACPUB.DUKE.EDU>

Subject: Re: why no right field?



On Mon, 22 Jan 1996, Larry Horn wrote:



> In addition to Ron's observations about the left field fence being further

> back in sandlot ball (as opposed, e.g. to at Fenway Park) because of the

> prevalence of right handed pull hitters, it's worth commenting in connection

> with Kathleen's observation,

>

> >1. From my softball days, I seem to recall that

> >in order to hit to left field, you had to swing late.

> >This could be done deliberately, if you knew you

> >could catch someone off-guard, say, or it could be

> >done out of lack of ability/confidence, etc.

>

> that this point only holds if the batter is left-handed. A right-handed

> hitter (i.e. the default value--not the NORMAL value, just the statistical

> default, Ron; I hasten to add that one of my best spouses is a leftie)

> would hit a ball to RIGHT on a late swing, which is why outfielders shift to

> right for a fastball pitcher and/or a weak hitter, or when the batter has two

> strikes and is presumed to be "protecting the plate".  I suspect Ron's

> derivation of 'out of left field' from 'out in left field', as the deepest

> part of the park, is on the mark.



Larry--

Pretty good thinking for a (putative) right-handed person!

Cheers,

Ron