Sports and Numbers

The statistics quoted in the following chapter have by no means been an exhaustive appraisal of every human to participate in two handed sports. Only statistics from some elite levels have been, in each of the sports covered, analysed and to that end not to a finite degree.

As established previously for the human race, I believe that 95% of humanity approach two handed actions the same way that they approach one handed movements, and that 5% approach two handed actions in an opposite manner to their general one handed actions.

With this statistic as a starting point, following is some analysis for select groups of elite sportspeople across golf, cricket and baseball. There is no statistical analysis of players in field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse and hurling, just some observations of these four pursuits.

Golf in General

Golf was initially the main focus of this study, however upon analysis this paper has rapidly expanded to include most two handed pursuits. I have tried to play golf, all be it inadequately for over 30 years, and have taught it in varying forms for some 27 years since commencing my PGA Traineeship in 1985.

It perplexed me in my early years of coaching as to why randomly, some people played golf right handed but were left handed for one handed actions and some were left handed but wanted to play right handed. This situation in my coaching didn’t arise very often, however I always made a mental note, to that end I became able to pick the people, both male and female, who were swapping over as they took to the action of a golf swing a little too easily.
I must admit that I have not kept a firm written record of the number of people that I have taught across clinics and individual lessons over the years; however it would conservatively be in excess of 9,000 students. Of this group I roughly estimate that around 450, or about 1 in 20, would have approached the game in the opposite fashion to their one handed tendencies. I don’t have a recollection of the rates of male to female students from this group.

I again have never kept a record of right to left hand golfers, however according to a 2007 National Golf Foundation (NGF) consumer survey 7.4% of adult American golfers play left-handed. How many of those lefty golfers in the NGF survey are basically right-handers, who find it more natural to play two-handed sports left-handed, is unknown. On the flip side of this statistic how many of the 92.6% of right handed golfers who play are left-handed, who find it more natural to play two-handed sports right-handed? There are no statistics available that can differentiate between these two groups.

Further to defining these groups is an explanation by Henry Gulliton in an article written for “The American Golfer Magazine in June 1928” entitled “Southpaws”, Henry quoted the following;

“…There exists three very distinct varieties of the southpaw, two of them radically different from the common or garden variety.

These are:

1) The left-hander who plays from his left side—the common type.

2) The left-hander who plays from his right side.

3) The right-hander who plays from his left side.

The first and third varieties are commonly classed as southpaws, but the unit of the second variety, which perhaps embraces the best players of the species, is erroneously accepted as a right-hander, although really, of course, he is less of a right-hander than his brethren in the third classification.”

In addition to Henry Gulliton’s explanation of how people approach golf, are the following quotes from a collection of elite players and teachers of the game. All relate to the importance of the left side in the golf swing, obviously in relation to people playing golf right handed.

Chi Chi Rodriguez quoted in the Dallas Times Herald in 1987; “I think if you do research you’ll find most of the great golfers were left handed.”

Tom Watson is quoted as saying; “The left side establishes the radius of the golf swing. For the swing to be successful, the left side must guide the action from start to finish.”

Bob Toski is quoted as saying; “I keep hearing people who should know better, teachers and talented tour players among them, say that golf is a right-sided game. I want to set the record straight once and for all. To start with, played properly, golf is a two-sided, two-handed game. But just as you need someone to govern the land or lead the band, the golf swing has a leader too–and it’s the left side, not the right.”

Hollis Stacy winner of 3 US Woman’s Opens; “My left hand leads from start to finish. I come down hitting against the firm left side braced by the last three fingers of my left hand.”

Byron Nelson was quoted as saying; “On the backswing you should feel that you are starting the club back with your left side moving together with your left hand and arm. The left hand must be firmly in control. The relaxed right side is just pushed out of the way.”

Dick Aultman, Golf Digest instruction editor has said; “There is more or less a direct correlation between improved scoring and the degree that the left side muscles are trained to dominate the backswing.”

Joe Norwood the author of “Golf-O-Metric”; “There is nothing better for good golf than an extended left arm during the swing. Without this holding power it isn’t possible to handle a club lightly and swing without effort.”

Bobby Jones said in his book “Bobby Jones on Golf”; “In my conception of the stroke it is always the left arm that should be the guiding member. In the case of nearly all good players, it is the left arm that starts and controls the direction of the stroke until it comes time to hit.”

Byron Nelson said in his book “Shape Your Swing the Modern Way”; “I don’t know of a good player out there today who doesn’t control the swing with the left side. By 1936 I felt I was controlling the backswing with the left side. But I knew I was getting the power from the right side, not early in the swing but late.”

Lee Trevino said in his book “Groove Your Golf Swing My Way”; “I don’t think most amateurs realize the tremendous left-hand control the pros have built up over the years of hitting several hundred thousand golf shots. I agree that the right hand is necessary for power in golf, but I also feel that for most weekend golfers too much right-hand dominance–or better yet, too little left-hand control–is the major reason why they find it so difficult to put that clubface solidly into the back of the ball with any degree of consistency.”

Ben Hogan was quoted as saying; “reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing”.

Ernest Jones was quoted as saying; “Understand that golf is neither a right handed nor left handed game, but a two handed one”.

As so many have said the importance of the leading side in the golf swing is pivotal to its success. With observations, quotes and theories from a collection of famous golfers, coaches and observers of the game aside, the analysis of some data from men’s and then women’s Majors in the following creates some interesting findings.

Men’s Golf Major’s and Some Observations

Analysing Men’s Major Championship winners in golf in the British Open, the US Open, the US PGA and the US Masters the statistics are compelling. Up until the end of 2010 there have been 415 Majors played since the first British Open in 1860, the first US Open in 1895, the first US PGA in 1916 and the inaugural Masters in 1934. There were obviously years where some of these Championships were not played due to World Wars and the 1871 British Open, when controversy over the administration of the event saw it unable to be played.

Of the 415 winners of these events only three players have played left-handed, they are Bob Charles, Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson. This group of golfers obviously stands out and is easy to highlight from every other Major Winner. It is well documented that they all perform one sided actions with their right side.

Bob Charles had one Major victory in the 1963 British Open, Mike Weir in the 2003 Masters and Phil Mickelson in the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters and the 2005 PGA. Only six of the 415 Majors have been won by left hand golfers, all of who are right handed for their one handed movements.

Bob Charles said in his book “Left-Handed Golf”, “I cannot see anything odd about my playing the game left-handed. In fact, it is ‘natural’ for me to hit the ball this way, and the truth of the matter is that I am otherwise a right-hander,” “The only time I do things as a southpaw is when I hold an object with both hands, such as a baseball bat or cricket bat and a golf club.”

Mike Weir, Golf Professional and amateur ice hockey player, famously wrote to Jack Nicklaus in 1984 at the age of 14 to ask “which way he should approach golf”. He posed the question that whilst being right handed he had a more powerful ice hockey shot when firing left handed. Jack obviously advised Mike correctly as to the best approach for his golf and Mike keeps Jack’s framed letter at his home to this day.

Phil Mickelson wrote in his book detailing his winning round at the 2004 Masters, “One Magical Sunday”, “I’ve always been naturally right-handed. Virtually the only thing I do left-handed is swing a golf club,”

With the left handed group established, this now leaves 409 Majors won by right handed golfers up to the end of 2010. I haven’t had the time or the research capabilities to establish all of the other 409 winner’s preferences to one handed movements in their general life. I have confirmed however, through biographies, articles, common knowledge and observation that a least another 107 Majors have been won by right handed golfers who perform one sided actions left-handed, or at the very least were or are, cross dominant or possibly ambidextrous. This information is outlined in Golf Data and Figures.

A number of these players have been confirmed that they are left handed for one handed actions through data collated via the internet, which sometimes cannot be absolutely trusted as a source of facts. Information can sometimes be misinterpreted by people, just because a right handed golfer may say that they lead with their left side, doesn’t necessarily make them left handed in general life.

If I have claimed that a player in this list is, or was left handed for single sided actions, cross dominant or ambidextrous and anyone, especially if you are that player, has evidence that they either were or are not, please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website and let me know.

This group of Major Winners, in no particular order, includes:

• Bobby Jones
• Sam Snead
• Ben Hogan
• Jack Nicklaus
• Johnny Miller
• David Graham
• Curtis Strange
• Greg Norman
• Nick Faldo
• Trevor Immelman
• Tom Kite
• Jimmy Dermaret
• Nick Price
• Arnold Palmer
• Fuzzy Zoellar
• Tom Watson
• Byron Nelson
• Walter Hagen
• Arnaud Massey
• Raymond Floyd
• Vijay Singh
• John Goodman
• Michael Campbell

This group of players combine to contribute another 107 majors won by humans who perform one handed actions left-handed, cross dominant or ambidextrous and then the two handed actions of a golf swing right handed. This is in addition to the 6 Majors won by left handed golfers who perform one handed actions right handed.

This now makes a confirmed total of at least 113 Major Tournaments won by golfers who approach the sport in an opposite fashion to their one handed actions, representing 27.23% of the total number of Majors played. For all the other winners how many were or are left-handed; cross dominant or ambidextrous that still have to be established. I do have partial evidence of quite a few, but am unable to confirm the information absolutely.

There still are a large number of players, particularly from yester year, to possibly add to this group with pictures of some Champions all holding the relevant trophy that they have just won in their left hand. If I had just won a Major and didn’t want to drop that Trophy in front of everybody watching, I am sure I would hold it in my dominant hand.

There are also endless pictures and what seem to be trivial observations, of many Major Championship winners performing basic tasks left sided. To name but a few; Old Tom Morris can be seen in a photograph holding his pipe in his left hand; Harry Vardon can be seen crossing his left leg over his right on the front page of his book and Young Tom Morris can be seen holding his coat back with his left arm to show the British Open Belt Buckle. Winners of the British Open were presented with a belt buckle up until 1872 when that trophy was replaced by the now famous Claret Jug.

Hale Irwin was said to have spent countless hours as a child cutting grass with a scythe around his parent’s property with his left arm leading the action. Ed Furgol smashed his left arm at the age of 12 and spent tireless hour’s exercising his now shorter left arm to strengthen it. Gene Sarazen was said to have an abnormally strong left hand and Billy Burke lost his left hands little finger in a foundry accident.

Despite much of this anecdotal evidence I will concede that all Major Winners unconfirmed were right handed golfers playing right handed and base my statistics on the numbers confirmed.

To that end however, if anyone reading this paper has proof that any Male Major Winner not listed above was left handed for one handed actions, please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website. Be it you are the player, a relative of the player’s involved, observant student of the game and life, or just well read, please log onto the website and let me know.

Even with many male golfers unconfirmed, at the established level of 5% of humans swapping over for two handed actions, this should mean statistically that 21 Majors played by males should have been won by this group. Already 113 are confirmed to be having been won by players who play reverse to their one handed tendencies or who are either cross dominant or ambidextrous people. Statistically this obviously points strongly to this specific group of humans having a distinct advantage to approaching the golf swing in the fashion that they do.

The only downside of this approach to golf, which I have observed, is in the ability of this group to be able to release the club back to square at impact. At times, and sometimes famously under pressure, the stronger and quicker leading side will get ahead of the action causing a blocked shot. Some of Greg Normans’ blocked shots on the final hole of Majors are infamous in golf’s recent history as are some of Phil Mickelson’s shots. Apologies Greg and Phil, I am sure that these are shots that you don’t wish to be reminded of.

Men’s Major Championship winners aside, how many players who have reached a Professional level on all the tours of the world or played golf at an elite amateur level have approached the game this way? Many Tour players that I have observed are either left-handed, cross dominant or possibly ambidextrous.

Even though left handed golfer Bubba Watsons writes with his left hand, in his playoff against Martin Kymer in the 2010 US PGA he was looking through his golf bag for a suitable ball to compete in the playoff with his right hand.

Many Tour players sign their autographs opposite to the way they play including, Henrik Stenson; Len Mattice and Edorado Molinari, who all play right handed and sign left handed. Richard Green, Nick O’Hern, Greg Chalmers and Steve Flesch all play left handed and sign right handed. Sergio Garcia throws golf balls to his caddy and the crowd left handed which once famously prompted British Professional Mark James to say “he must be amphibious”. Legendary Canadian player and revered ball striker Moe Norman who played the US Tour briefly was left-handed.

With just these basic statistics and observations, the numbers strongly point to these male golfers as having an advantage over their “one sided” opponents. With the inbuilt benefit of strength and reaction time, that is required to perform a golf swing under the immense pressure of a Major Tournament, they have the Hidden X Factor required to prevail.

As already stated, of the 415 Men’s Majors played to the end of 2010, statistically at 5% of the total only 21 should have been won by male golfers approaching golf opposite to their one sided tendencies. With many more winners of these Championships to be possibly confirmed as left-handed, cross dominant or ambidextrous people why have so many, currently 113, been shown to be won by this group of players?

Ladies Golf Majors and Some Observations

Major Golf Championships played by female golfers don’t date back quite as far as Men’s Majors with the US Open, the LPGA Championship, the British Open and the Kraft Nabisco making up the four Ladies Majors. Up until the end of 2010 there have been 182 Majors played since the first US Open in 1946, the first LPGA Championship in 1955, the first British Open in 1976 and the inaugural Kraft Nabisco in 1983.

There were two years in which the 1969 LPGA Championship and the 1983 British Open tournaments were not played. Some of these Tournaments were played before the dates stated, however are not classed as official Major Championships.

Of the 182 Majors played not one has been won by a female left-handed golfer. In fact, in general tournaments, only one left handed female golfer has won on the American LPGA Tour in Bonny Bryant, recording a victory in the 1974 Bill Branch Classic. In fact in the history of the US LPGA there has only been four players to play left-handed, including Bonny, the others being Angela Buzminski who played from 2002 to 2005; Kelly Lagedrodt from 2004 to the present and Malinda Johnson in 2005.

As with Men’s golf I haven’t had the time or the research capabilities to establish all of the 182 winner’s preferences to one handed movements in their general life. I have confirmed however, through biographies, articles, common knowledge and observation, that at least 11 Women’s Majors were won by right handed golfers who performed one sided actions left handed or at the very least were cross dominant or possibly ambidextrous. This information is outlined in Golf Data and Figures.

Again as with Men’s Majors a large number of these players have been confirmed as to whether they are left handed through information via the internet, which sometimes cannot be absolutely trusted as a source of facts. Information can sometimes be misinterpreted by people, just because a right handed golfer may say that they lead with their left side, doesn’t necessarily make them left handed in general life.

If I have claimed that a player in this list is or was left handed for single sided actions and anyone, especially if you are that player, has evidence that they either were or are not, please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website and let me know.

This group of players, in no particular order, includes;

• Kristie Kerr
• Sally Little
• Beth Daniel
• Pat Hurst
• Ayako Okamoto
• JoAnne Carner
• Hollis Stacy

This group of golfers, who approach the sport in an opposite fashion to their one handed actions, represented a total of 6.04% of the total number of Women’s Majors played. For all the other winners how many were left-handed, cross dominant or ambidextrous that I cannot establish positively? As with many male players I do have partial evidence of quite a few but am unable to confirm the information absolutely.

Whilst there are many players unconfirmed the 11 Championships that have been won by players who are left side dominant is not statistically that far outside the 9 that should have been won by this group. Analysis of golfers in both the female and male groups has been difficult in order to establish players one sided preferences as the sport gives little clue to which side dominates single sided actions.

Again to that end, if anyone reading this paper has proof that any Ladies Major Winner not listed above was, or is, left handed for one handed actions please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website. Be you the player themselves, a relative of the players involved, observant student of the game and life, or just well read please log onto the website and let me know.

Cricket Played by Males

Cricket is relatively easy to establish which players have a single dominant side and then as to how they approach the two handed functions of their game. When not coaching or working in the golf industry, one of my next favourite pastimes is to watch cricket, sometimes while having the odd beverage as a large section of Australians do.

Cricketers when fielding will throw the ball back to the centre with one hand, in general of course their dominant arm. When batting and placing two hands on the bat or “willow” however, how many players bat on the opposite side as to which they threw?

Of the top 30 Test Batsmen of all time, as at November 2010, there were 5 players who batted left and threw right representing 16.67% of the total. One player was totally left handed representing just 3.33% of the total, well under the statistical benchmark for humanity. 80% of the top 30 Test Batsmen of all time both batted and threw right handed. This information is outlined in Cricket Data and Figures.

Of the top 20 One Day Batsmen of all time, as at November 2010, there were 3 players who batted opposite to their one handed tendencies representing 15% of the total. Two batted left and threw right with 1 player batting right and throwing left. One player was totally left handed representing just 5% of the total; again well under the statistical benchmark for humanity. 80% of the top 20 One Day Batsmen both batted and threw right handed. This information is outlined in Cricket Data and Figures.

Of the 9 countries that play test and one day cricket each country, as at November 2010, had a squad of players ranging in numbers from 23 to 32 to draw from to construct their side for an upcoming tour and or match. Each countries squad’s had a total player base at this time totalling 252 players. This figure was derived from the International Cricket Council (ICC) listings of national squads, however there were some discrepancies from the ICC listings and other sources.

Of the 252 players in all these squad’s 58 players in total threw or bowled with one side of their body and then batted the other way around. This represented 23.02% of the 252 players and was far more than the 13 players which should have represented this group at the established rate of 5% of humans who should approach batting reverse to the one handed tendencies.

Players who threw and bowled left handed and batted left handed totalled 36 and represented 14.29% of the group, which is right on the base line average for the total left handed population of the planet.

The numbers of players and subsequent squad statistics for each individual country at November 2010, as outlined in Cricket Data and Figures, is as follows. Some of the varying rates from one country to another could possibly be a reflection of coaching techniques and or cultural and religious practices.

Australia – 32 players in their national squad with 11 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 34.38% of the total, which statistically should have been a representation of about 2 players. There were 5 wholly left handed players representing 15.62%, which is just over the established rate of left handed people. Right on 50% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

England – 23 players in their national squad with 5 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 21.74% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There were 4 wholly left handed players representing 17.39%, a percentage just over the established rate of left handed people. 60.87% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

New Zealand – 30 players in their national squad with 4 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 13.33% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 2 players. There were 3 wholly left handed players representing 10%, under the established rate of left handed people. 76.67% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

India – 31 players in their national squad with 5 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 16.13% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 2 players. There were 4 wholly left handed players representing 12.90% which is just under the established rate of left handed people. 70.97% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

Pakistan – 32 players in their national squad with 6 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 18.75% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 2 players. There were 5 wholly left handed players representing 15.62%, just over the established rate of left handed people. 65.63% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

Sri Lanka – 29 players in their national squad with 6 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 20.69% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1player. There were 4 wholly left handed players representing 13.79%, virtually the same as the rate of left handed people. 65.52% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

West Indies – 28 players in their national squad with 7 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 25% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There were 3 wholly left handed players representing 10.71%, under the established rate of left handed people. 64.29% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

Bangladesh – 23 players in their national squad with 4 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 17.39% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There were 5 wholly left handed players representing 21.74%, well over the established rate of left handed people. 60.87% of the squad were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

South Africa – 24 players in their national squad with 10 of the total approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 41.67% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There were 3 wholly left handed players representing 12.50%, which is just under the established rate of left handed people. 45.83% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting.

Whilst there was no analysis of a player’s specialty in the game between batting and bowling the summary of statistics for elite male cricketers who bat on the same side as they throw was as follows;

• The two groups of all time leading batsmen in the Test and One Day areas were above the 5% of humans who should approach the sport in this fashion at 16.67% and 15% respectively.
• The total number averaged for the 9 countries cricket squad’s was 23.02%, however in individual countries cases this ranged from 13.33% for New Zealand to 41.67 % for South Africa’s squad.

With just these basic statistics the numbers point to these male cricketers having an advantage over their “one sided” opponents. With the inbuilt benefit of strength and reaction time on their leading side that is required to hit a cricket ball travelling at up to 160kms per hour they have the Hidden X Factor required to bat in cricket at this elite level.

Cricket Played by Females

Women’s cricket doesn’t have, as does women’s golf, quite the same history and base of statistical information as does the men’s game.

Of the 5 countries that play test and one day cricket each country had a squad, as at February 2011, of players ranging in numbers from 14 to 18 to draw from to construct their side for an upcoming tour and or match. Each countries squad’s had a total player base totalling 81 players. This figure was derived from many different sources and discrepancies from the ICC listings did vary.

Of the 81 players in these squad’s, 11 players in total threw or bowled with one side of their body and then batted the other way around, this represented 13.58% of the 81players and was more than the 5 players that should have represented this group, at the established rate of 5% of humans who should approach batting reverse to the one handed tendencies. Only 4 players of the total were left handed for both batting and bowling which represented 4.94%, well under the expected 14% average.

The numbers of players and subsequent squad statistics for each individual country, as at February 2011, is as follows and is outlined in Cricket Data and Figures. Some of the varying rates from one country to another could possibly be a reflection of coaching techniques and or cultural and religious practices.

Australia – 18 players in their national squad with no player approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. There were 2 wholly left handed players representing 11.11%, which is just under the established rate of left handed people. 83.34% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting with 5.55% unconfirmed as to their bowling or throwing arm.

England – 17 players in their national squad with 1 player approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 5.88% of the total which statistically is in line with the 5% of humans who should approach the action in this fashion. There was 1 wholly left handed player representing 5.88%, well under the established rate of left handed people. 82.36% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting with 5.88% unconfirmed as to their bowling or throwing arm.

India – 15 players in their national squad with 1 player approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 6.67% of the total, which statistically is almost in line with the 5% of humans who should approach the action in this fashion. There were no left handed players obviously well under the established rate of left handed people. 73.33% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting with 20% unconfirmed as to their bowling or throwing arm.

New Zealand – 17 players in their national squad with 6 players approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 35.29% of the total which, statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There were no left handed players obviously well under the established rate of left handed people. 41.18% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting with 23.53% unconfirmed as to their bowling or throwing arm.

South Africa – 14 players in their national squad with 3 players approaching bowling or throwing with one side of their body and then batting in the opposite fashion. This represented 21.43% of the total which statistically should have been a representation of about 1 player. There was 1 wholly left handed player representing 7.14%, well under the established rate of left handed people. 57.14% of the side were right handed for one sided actions and then batting with 14.29% unconfirmed as to their bowling or throwing arm.

Whilst there was no analysis of a player’s specialty in the game between batting and bowling the summary of statistics for elite female cricketers who bat with the same arm as they throw was as follows.

• The total number averaged for the 5 countries cricket squad’s was 13.58%, however in individual countries cases this ranged from 0% for Australia to 35.29 % for New Zealand’s squad.
• Whilst higher than the expected 5% of humans who should approach batting in this fashion the rate for Females was lower than the Men’s statistical total.

With just these basic statistics, the numbers point to these female cricketers having an advantage over their “one sided” opponents. With the inbuilt benefit of strength and reaction time on their leading side that is required to hit a cricket ball travelling at up to 140kms per hour they have the Hidden X Factor required to bat at this elite level.

Baseball Played by Males

As is cricket, baseball is “relatively easy” to determine which players swap from their dominant arm to throw or pitch as to which players bat the other way around. With reliable statistics dating back to 1882 from Professional Baseball played by males in the USA, it is easy to see the anomalies in relation to how the majority of the population would approach the actions required to play the sport.

The “relative” in the first statement is a little unknown as with baseball a player catches the ball with one hand and throws with the other. Do all players catch with their weaker side and throw with their dominant side or do some players catch with their stronger and reflex side and throw with the other? I would imagine that the position a player fields helps to determine as to whether they need quick reflexes in close to the batting diamond or a more powerful throw from the outfield. As baseball is not played at the same elite level in Australia, as it is particularly in the United States, I do not have the same years of acquired knowledge as to cricket.

There are also some aspects of the game that give a right or left handed approach an advantage. Left-handed batters seem to have an advantage to right handed pitchers as the ball in general will swing in to the batter rather than away and obviously right handed batters have an advantage to left handed pitchers. With these considerations in mind the following statistics provide some interesting conclusions.

There are 41 US based Professional baseball players of all time to achieve a batting average of .325 or better, as at November 2010. Of this approximately 2 players statistically should approach their batting in the opposite fashion to their one handed movements given the 5% of humans who approach two handed actions this way. Of the 41 players, 10 batted left handed and threw right handed, making this group 24.39% of the total. No players batted right handed and threw left handed. This group included Ty Cobb as the all time leader with an average of .3664 and Joe Jackson at third with an average of .3558. This information is outlined in Baseball Data and Figures.

It was also interesting to note that there were another 15 wholly left handed batters and throwers in the group of 41 representing 36.59%. Statistically this group should have been around 6, in terms of the 14% of left hander’s who populate the world.

With this group of 15 lefties, and the 10 who batted left and threw right this made a total of 25 left handed batsmen from the top 41of all time representing 60.98%. Obviously there were only 16 players who batted and threw right handed representing 39.02%. I would assume this statistic leads to the fact previously stated, that right handed pitchers throwing to left handed batsmen with the ball curling in rather than away, give these left handed batsman a distinct advantage in making consistent contact with the ball.

The leading home run hitters of all time also provide some more compelling statistics. Of the top 200 home run hitters, as at November 2010, 47 either batted from both sides or threw with one side but batted on the other. Of this group 33 batted left and threw right with only 1 player batting right and throwing left.13 players batted both left and right, being either cross dominant or ambidextrous, making this group 6.5% of the total and above the 3% of people who should approach the action in this fashion. Of this group of 13 cross dominant or ambidextrous players, only 1 threw left handed and batted right handed. This group as a total of 47 should have been a representation of about 10 players given the world’s total populations statistical benchmark of 5%. This made this group almost 23.50% of the total number of 200 players. This information is outlined in Baseball Data and Figures.

Wholly left handed players contributed 32 of the 200 leading home run hitters coming in at 16%, although this almost falls into line with the 14% of left hander’s in the world. The total of left handed players and right hander’s who batted left handed as a group again made a huge percentage of the total, with 77 of the 200 equalling 38.50%. 60.50% of the top 200 home run hitters of all time batted and threw right handed. There was one player representing 0.5% who batted right handed and threw left handed and 1 player representing 0.5% who batted both right and left-handed and threw left-handed.

Of this group of 200 players who have hit the most home runs it was also interesting to note that most were over 6 feet or 183 centimetres in height. There were only 27 batsmen of the 200 who were less than 6 feet tall, with 19 of them being close to the mark at 5’10” or 5’ 11”. This raises another subject, for a later date, as to the advantage of leverage created by limb length in the deliverance of power in all the sports covered in this paper.

Of the top 200 the stand outs in this group that was less than 6 feet tall were Mel Ott at 23rd with 511 home runs; Yogi Berra at 74th with 358 home runs and Matt Stairs at 176th with 265 home runs. Yogi Berra in fact stood at only 5’ 7” or 170 centimetres tall. The advantage that enabled these three players to achieve this amazing feat given their lack of leverage, they all threw right handed and batted left-handed.

Given baseballs actions of catching and throwing, are there more male players from the groups analysed who may have been dominant with a particular side but caught with it instead of threw? The findings as they stand, again prove an advantage to approaching this two handed action of batting in this fashion. These findings would only be enhanced through further analysis of these players as to how they throw as to which side of their body is actually dominant.

Baseball Played by Females

Women’s baseball doesn’t have, as does women’s golf, quite the same history and base of statistical information as does the men’s game. In keeping with the theme of this paper and analysing the professional pursuits of each sport I have drawn the following statistics from the All American Girls Baseball League, as outlined in Baseball Data and Figures.

This League was played between 1943 and 1954 and was created in response to the lack of male baseball due to the Second World War. Phillip K Wrigley, the chewing gum mogul created the competition in the autumn of 1942. Over the 12 years of the competition and a fair amount of controversy, 626 players competed for 16 different teams that played over this time until the League was disbanded. The League, and the feats of these pioneering ladies, was documented in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own.

Of the 626 players listed on the All American Girls Baseball League website, 206 of these players did not have complete statistics as to how they batted or threw. Of the 420 players that did however, 36 threw either right or left handed and then batted reverse, with 9 of this group batting from both sides. One player, Gene Visich, batted left handed and threw from both sides. This group of 36 represented 8.81% of the total number and whilst higher than the 5% expected for this group was not an overwhelming statistic. Only 23 of the 420 players threw and batted left-handed, representing 5.48%, well under the expected 14% average. 85.71% of these female players batted and threw right handed.

The findings didn’t prove an overwhelming advantage to approaching this two handed action of batting in a reverse fashion for female participants. Across baseball and cricket, whilst the groups sampled varied in size, there was a disproportionate statistical result between these elite players in female and male competition. Golf still has too many Female Major Winners unconfirmed to draw this conclusion for its results, but does have a very low level of left-handed participants.

Hockey – Field and Ice

Hockey, in both its forms of Field and Ice, again provides a great study of two handed actions and the application to these sports. Whilst I don’t have hard statistics on either sport to prove an advantage of players approaching these actions opposite to their one handed movements, there are some observations which support the findings from the other sports covered. These sports, and particularly field hockey, do have some rules that can inhibit a players natural ability from approaching actions a certain way.

Field hockey sticks can only be used right handed for shots requiring power. The sticks are rounded on the back side and whilst this side can be used for dribbling, can’t be used to strike the ball. This obviously stops left handed people from being able to play the sport unless, with two hands they prefer to strike the ball right handed. Right handed people can of course play but would some of them be able to strike the ball more powerfully left handed? To that end how many top field hockey players are left handed with one handed actions? I would envisage that this figure would be inordinately more than the 5% that it should be in line with the total population.

When playing ice hockey sticks can be used either right or left handed for all shots requiring power and control. In the absence of detailed statistics and just observations Wayne Gretzky, or as he is known in Ice Hockey as “The Great One”, sets the standard.

Wayne’s records still stand to this day with the most goals in a season, and career, as well as the most assists in allowing other players to score. Although right handed, Wayne played ice hockey left handed in scoring the majority of his goals when absolute power was required. As a junior he was a talented baseball and box lacrosse player, box lacrosse is the indoor version of lacrosse. Without being able to observe Wayne playing these sports I would assume that he approached the two handed functions of both left handed.

Wayne also plays golf to a reasonable level having even competed in the US PGA Tours Skill Challenge Tournament, however he plays golf right handed after approaching the other two handed pursuits of his life left handed. If you ever read this paper Wayne, don’t take offense, but you would have made a far better left handed golfer given the skills and strengths you would have brought to that approach.

If any Field or Ice Hockey players, coaches or spectators have observations or thoughts on the findings in this paper please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website and give me your feedback and please fill out the survey attached to the site. Without statistics to back my observations and having not played these sports at any level, the application of the theories outlined crossing over from golf; cricket and baseball could seem different to acceptable methods of coaching or play.

Lacrosse and Hurling

Other sports were the dominant side leading the action would be an advantage are Lacrosse and Hurling. I have no statistics on either sport, however from watching both sports being played it can easily be seen that in the main cross dominant or ambidextrous skills and dominant sided actions are desirable to play both sports at a high level.

In Lacrosse a player’s ability to pass, catch and propel the ball all whilst being checked by opponents would be enhanced by strength and quick reflex actions on both sides of the body. The action of passing or throwing in the main, sees the hands separated on the crosse, or crook, with power being generated with the pulling down of the lower hand and the pushing forward of the top hand. This combined with the leverage created by the racquet sees the ball being able to be propelled at high speed. Because the hands are not placed as closely together as in the other sports covered the action is not necessarily dependent on a stronger leading side movement. Strength in both sides of the body would be a definite advantage in this sport.

It would be interesting to see how many Lacrosse players are either cross dominant, ambidextrous or are right handed propelling the ball on their left side or left-handed propelling the ball on their right side as their more powerful action. The proportions of these players from male to female would also provide an interesting insight into the brains functions. Again, given the findings in this paper for other two handed pursuits I would be sure that this approach would be beneficial.

Hurling again provides a great study of the action of the right and left sides of the body. As the hands are fairly close together on the hurley, or caman, the action of hitting the ball and having the stronger and quicker reflex side of the body lead is an advantage. Players can only take three steps with the ball, or sliotar, in hand and must balance the ball on the caman whilst running and avoid being checked by their opponent’s. As with Lacrosse, again cross dominant or ambidextrous skills would be of great benefit in this sport.

In striking the sliotar, it can be struck from the right or left side in the air or from the ground. In observations of the game players under pressure from an opponent use either side of their body to affect a strike. When wanting to propel the ball with as much power as possible though, and with time for a player to set themselves, many hurling shots are struck against the right side similar to a two handed back hand in tennis leading to the fact that these players are right handed.

In observations of the game being played on many occasions, players will catch or slap the ball with their right hand as allowed by the rules and then hit against their right side to strike the sliotar to a position on the field or for goal. Goal keepers will regularly strike the ball out from goal to the other end of the ground against their right side and many of the top hurling goals ever scored have been by players also hitting against their right. As with Lacrosse, it would be interesting to see how many Hurling players are either cross dominant, ambidextrous or are right handed propelling the ball against their right side or left handed propelling the ball against their left side as their more powerful action. Yet again, given the findings of this paper for other two handed pursuits and my observations of hurling, hitting against the right side for right handed players and against the left for left-handed players would provide the most powerful strike.

If any Lacrosse or Hurling players, coaches or spectators have observations or thoughts on the findings please contact the Two Handed X-Factor website and give me your feedback and please fill out the survey attached to the site. Without statistics to back my observations and having not played these sports at any level, the application of the theories outlined crossing over from golf; cricket and baseball could seem different to acceptable methods of coaching or play.