The Chub Rock's Blog

I've been playing A LOT of softball lately and having to fill in at pitcher for the Big Worm, it got me thinking about the derivation of the term 'southpaw'. So did some research and it looks like this is why:

Many early ballparks were designed geographically so home plate was facing east - thus a setting sun would rest behind the batter and not shine in his eyes. This meant that a pitcher faced west. A pitcher who threw left-handed would have his arm on the south of the pitching mound. Baseball fans soon called these lefties "southpaws."

Interesting..wonder how many ballparks this STILL applies to.