Southpaw

In baseball, a “southpaw” is a pitcher who throws left-handed. The origin of this term, steeped in history, is truly fascinating. In the era before night games were possible, ballparks were strategically designed with the hitter facing east, away from the afternoon sun’s glare. This positioning meant that a left-handed pitcher’s arm would be on the south side of the field, directly connecting the term ‘southpaw ‘with its meaning in baseball.

Interestingly, the term ‘southpaw’ was initially used in baseball to describe position players, not pitchers. According to MLB official historian John Thorn, the term originated in a different sport: boxing. A punch with the left hand was called a ‘south paw’ in boxing. Over time, this phrase found its way into baseball to describe left-handed pitchers. Thus, ‘southpaw’ is synonymous with a left-handed pitcher in baseball.