Left-Handed Sports Fun

We lefties can really have some fun this summer playing sports. But we need to understand the best equipment for our own needs.

Baseball and softball are fun sports that only get the great attention during the warm months. The reality is, us left-handed people have an advantage. There is a great deal of value in being that so-called "south paw." Find out more at The Advantage of Being Left-Handed in Baseball/Softball. It can be a real eye-opener especially if you have a left-handed child who wants to play sports.

But, there's more. You really do need the correct equipment for yourself or you child. With both baseball and softball, a catching glove or mitt is part of the equipment. Luckily, the manufacturers of these gloves recognize the value of making them for either right or left-handed people.

When I got my first left-handed glove for softball, it made a big difference. Even my coach was amazed at my improvement. When I could start throwing the ball with my stronger left-hand and arm, my accuracy was better and my distance was better. The glove on my right hand just allowed me the freedom to use my left-hand for better ball control.

Make sure you get for yourself or your left-handed child, the correct equipment to play to your best ability. It will help in your own game as well.

Clebrating International Left-Hander's Day

Since I'm left-handed, I'm taking advantage of this time to really enjoy and celebrate that fact. August 13th maybe the designated single day to celebrate, but I'm going further. The whole month of August can be time to celebrate.

Actually, every day is worth celebrating this unique gift us left-handed people have. But, make sure you don't let International Left-Hander's Day go by without celebrating for yourself or your child. There are great ways to celebrate and they are being shared pretty nicely at Lefthand World.

I got some great ideas myself for ways to celebrate and then ways to share with the children I know who are left-handed. A party is definitely in the works along with a fun game of softball where all the left-handed children I know will be learning to make the most use of their left-handed talent in this sport.

So pick your favorite ways to make August 13th special. Or take any other day of the year and make that your personal left-hand day. It can be a day to show how proud you are of this wonderful gift.

How Will You Celebrate International Left-Hander's Day

We left-handed people have our own day. It's a day definitely worth celebrating. August 13th is International Left-Hander's Day. I intend to celebrate this very special day with lots of friends and family.

Because I happen to be the only left-handed person in my family and circle of friends, I'm hosting this party. My right-handed friends and relations wouldn't even think of such celebration, so I'm educating them.

My party, though, is not about complaining that it's hard to be a leftie in a right-handed world. It's all about having fun and celebrating the great differences in the world. I love the fact that I am unique among those I care about. That's what my party is all about.

What will you plan? Either for yourself as a leftie or for a left-handed person in your world. But, please keep it a happy and celebratory event. This is a time to enjoy this great gift of being of left-handed.

International Left-Hander's Day is Coming

August 13th is just a month away. That's International Left-Hander's Day. And that's a day we really want to celebrate as lefties.

Although this day started out as a way to raise awareness for the discrimination of left-handed people in a predominantly right-handed world, it's since gotten more about celebrating the joy of being left-handed.

The official day began in 1976, a year when protesting and raising awareness were big issues. In 1992, the day became International. Left-handed people all over the world are now celebrating August 13th.

In England, they have turned it into a fun event. Locations are set up all over the place where only left hands can be used for everything. It is still part raising awareness of what it's like to use the other hand, but it's also great fun for all the participants.

So, this year, take August 13th and share with your right-handed friends the fun of being left-handed. Enjoy yourselves and celebrate your differences.

Do We Know What Causes Left-Handedness?

Does anyone really know what causes a person to be left-handed? Actually, there is some pretty good evidence that scientist do know. They have actually identified two genes, rather close together on the DNA chain, that seem to be present in most left-handed people. And that DNA chain comes through the father.

That easily begins to explain why left-handed people were born that way. It's not a choice we made while we were young.

Another rather interesting theory says that us lefties were part of a set of twins. The right-handed fetus never developed. That sounds a bit far-fetched until you discover the extraordinary number of sets of twins who are one right-handed and one left-handed.

Theories are always interesting. They are just that - theories. Hard to actually prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. So scientist continue to search out answers on why some people are left-handed and others are not. Actually, I'll happily take any theory that says one or both of my parents gave me the gift of being left-handed. It's an honor anyway you look at it.

Does the Right Brain Really Control the Left Hand?

I'm sure you've heard the saying that if left brain controls the right hand and the right brain controls the left hand, then only lefties are in their right mind. It's a humorous saying, and one that I personally rather like, being left-handed and all. But is it true?

Seems there is no real answer to that question. First, we need to understand a little about the brain. It's divided pretty nicely into two parts, not necessarily equal or even. But, each side controls different parts of our activities. Often these parts are called learning centers.

It was believed at one point that people who were right-handed had language learning centers on the left lobe of their brain. Well, as it turns out, this is true for some of the population, but not all of the population. It seems that "rule" doesn't apply to about a third of the population. That's a pretty big number. And it makes the theory not so good.

The biggest problem with trying to understand which side of the brain controls which side of the body is the research methods. How can someone study the brain of a healthy human with causing damage? And who wants to be brain-damaged when they don't have to be? So research is limited to head injury patients when possible.

If you want to read more about how this right-brain/left-handed business got started, you can right here. I just say that I'm honored and happy to be left-handed and I'll let either side of my brain do it's business just like it should.

Raising a Left-Handed Child

In case you are still in the dark, your left-handed child was born that way. Just the same as right-handed children. It's not a choice they make or a matter of strengthening their right hand. One rather strong theory says it's the father's genes that carry the DNA for left-handed orientation. So instead of trying to convince your left-handed child to switch hands, be grateful you gave them this unique gift.

Being left-handed is unique. Some estimates place the percentage of humans that are born left-handed at around 10 percent of the population. That makes us lefties a charming minority! As a grown-up who is still left-handed (in spite of the best efforts of some of my early teachers) I feel very honored to be part of this talented group.

You can help your left-handed child by raising your own knowledge level about left-handedness. Understand the challenges your child faces in this society that is geared for right-handed people. Many studies have proved that helping your child builds their confidence. But, hindering your child causes them many problems, including health risks.

There are books that can help you as a parent, there are websites, including Left-Handed World, with lots of information about being left-handed, written by left-handed people. Take advantage of the information, suggestions and tips. These will help you help your left-handed child.

Sports Equipment for Left-Handers

With summer on it's way, outdoor sports are gearing up. It's time to start thinking about left-handed sports players. If you are a lefty like me, you'll want to get the right equipment to be able to play at your best. Sports like baseball, softball, golf and fishing make use of one hand over the other for strength, accuracy and dexterity. So you'll want equipment that supports your left hand.

In baseball and softball, batting left-handed certainly doesn't require anything different, but catching and throwing are a different matter. You want to be able to throw the ball with the strength and accuracy of your left hand and arm. You can't be hampered with a catching glove or mitt.

Think about golf. Typical golf clubs are designed to be swung by a right-handed person. As a lefty, you'll want to swing with your left hand and arm providing the most strength. This means you will need left-handed golf clubs.

When you are teaching your children sports or enrolling them in sports programs, you'll want to give them every advantage to be their best. For left-handed children, this means the proper equipment for them to learn and do well. Don't hamper them with equipment that is designed for the right-handed people. The right sports equipment for left-handed people will make a huge difference.

To learn more about all things left-handed, visit Left Handed World. It can help you as a leftie as well as your left-handed child.

The Lefthanded World Arrives

Being a left-handed person, I just couldn't resist this site. Lefthanded World is all about the fun, trials, and good stuff of being lefthanded. Especially when dealing with the right-handed world. Did you know the estimates out there say that only 10% of the population is lefthanded? I didn't realize that either, but there it is.

There are also some theories that try to explain how lefties get to be that way. Read about them here, and tell me if you agree. They seem to say that lefthandedness comes from the male genetic material. In other words: thank dad for this one. That is if this theory proves true. So far everything is just a theory. Makes me wonder if why this hasn't proven, yet. Seems so much other stuff gets proved. Do we lefties need to a big fund-raising campaign to get research done?

No matter. I'm still happy being lefthanded. Kind of sets me apart from the rest of the 90% of the population. And I don't mind at all being special. If you're one of the special ones, too, or you have one of those special children, you need to check out Lefthanded World for yourself.