Ambidexterity

Ambidexterity is the state of being equally adapted in the use of both the left and the right hand, and also in using them at the same time. Only about one percent of people are naturally ambidextrous. The degree of versatility with each hand is generally the qualitative factor in determining a person's ambidexterity.

In more modern times, it is more common to find some people considered ambidextrous who were originally left-handed and who learned to be ambidextrous, either deliberately or during childhood institutions such as schools, or in jobs where right-handed habits are often emphasized or required. Since many everyday devices (such as can openers and scissors) are asymmetrical and designed for right-handed people, many left-handers learn to use them right-handedly due to the rarity or lack of left-handed models. Thus, left-handed people are much more likely to develop motor skills in their non-dominant hand than right-handed people (who are not subjected to left-favoring devices). Right-handers may become ambidextrous due to an injury of their right hand or arm. Ambidexterity is often encouraged in activities requiring a great deal of skill in both hands, such as typing, juggling, musicianship, surgery, sports and martial arts.

The word "ambidextrous" is derived from the Latin roots , meaning "both", and , meaning "right" or "favorable". Thus, "ambidextrous" is literally "both right" or "both favorable". The term in English was originally used in a legal sense of jurors who accepted bribes from both parties for their verdict. The Latin word is derived from classical Greek roots from the word 'αμφι-δέξιος'

Ambidexterity is highly prized in the sport of baseball. "Switch hitting" is the most common phenomenon, and is highly prized because a batter usually has a higher statistical chance of successfully hitting the baseball when it is thrown by an opposite-handed pitcher. Therefore, an ambidextrous hitter can bat from whichever side is more advantageous to him in that situation. Pete Rose, who had more hits than anyone else in the history of Major League Baseball, was a switch hitter. You have to be fundamentally ambidextrous as a fielder, to be able to catch with your non-dominant hand and throw with your dominant one.

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