General
southpaw
What does southpaw mean?
A left-handed pitcher (or left-hander generally). In old ballparks laid out with home plate to the west, a lefty's throwing arm faced south.
"The lineup was stacked with righties to counter the opposing southpaw."
Origin
From early ballpark orientation; the term dates to 19th-century American baseball and was popularized by sportswriters.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'southpaw' mean?
A southpaw is a left-handed pitcher, or more generally any left-handed person, especially in sports.
Where does the term 'southpaw' come from?
In old ballparks laid out with home plate to the west, a left-handed pitcher's throwing arm faced south, giving rise to the term in 19th-century baseball.
Is 'southpaw' only used in baseball?
It started in baseball but is now used across sports, notably boxing, to describe left-handed athletes.
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