# RHP vs LH Batter (and visa versa)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 11, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437 "2002-06-11T13:37:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bob\_Gaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Gaughan)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437/1 "2002-06-11T13:37:09Z")
From what I read, when a RHP throws a curveball or a slider, that pitch will curve away from a RH Batter and into a LH Batter. And I also read that a ball curving into a hitter is harder for that hitter to handle than a ball curving away. That would mean that a RHP is more effective against LH Batters than he is with a RH Batter. And the same logic for LHPs. That is, LHPs curveballs/sliders curve into a RH Batter and away from a LH Batter. Therefore an advantage for the LHP over RH Batter.
But I have also read that RHPs have advantages over RH Batters and LHPs with LH Batters.
What’s the story?
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2002, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437/2 "2002-06-11T13:42:07Z")
I believe part of the advantage might be that a hitter can view the ball thrown by a pitcher on his same side a bit earlier than one thrown from the opposite side.
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### Author:  [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2002, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437/3 "2002-06-11T15:20:10Z")
I’m trying to figure out this "same side"take.
Here’s mine.I was a right handed batter.The first time I ever saw a lefty in organized ball where piitchers really had heat and stuff (not Little league type) I creamed him-and he was supposedly one of the good pitchers in our league.I think I was seeing that ball sooner with a bit more stereoscopic view.At least that’s what it felt like to me.See it sooner,more time to react.
Curves were easier for me to handle off a lefty also.But then there’s the scroogie,forkball/cutter/knuckleball in the bigs which I’d think would negate any lefty/righty advantage in the "junk ball"category.
If you look at the big leagues everyone seems to show the same tendency-even the best of the hitters.
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### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhp-vs-lh-batter-and-visa-versa/113437/4 "2002-06-11T15:40:28Z")
Batters have the advantage against opposite-handed pitchers.
Pitchers have the advantage against same-handed batters.
There are plenty of exceptions, especially if the pitcher has a pitch with a screwball break, but that’s the rule of thumb.
A curve coming back toward you is easier to hit than one tailing away.