The reason why goes back to when the hi-hat was invented.  Long-story short, the guy who invented (and first played?) the hi-hats couldn't keep time on it with his left hand due to some physical problem or limitation (I think so, anyhow), and so he started playing what we consider as normal.

Rain Dog, it's perfectly okay to play open-hand on the drums.  There are a LOT of drummer (some RIGHT HANDED!) who play like that.  Take the drummer from Dave Matthews Band, Carter Beauford (that's "boe-ferd"), he's right-handed and plays open-hand.  I know how this came to be, and if you want to know, just ask me.

I personally think it makes far more sense to play open handed and lead with the left hand as Carter Beauford and many other drummers do.  However, not all open-hand drummers have their ride on their left side.  Some have their set setup just like most right-handed drummers, only they lead with their left.

I can play basic stuff in the open-hand style, but I can't do ghost-notes, which are VERY important in drumming.  If you can't play ghost-notes in your open hand position, then work on it.  :)  I don't wanna work on it, because I don't need to.  I've been playing for 10 years cross-handed, and I'm not about to change it.

Tim

I'd like to hear more about Beauford. If you got the time I've got the bandwidth.

Your talking about Ghost notes on the snare? Ghost notes are lightly played notes between or immediately before a stronger note? I definately have more control over the snare with my right hand.

Last night I spent time working on fills and I had a harder time doing the fills "Open". Leading with the left was definately less intuitive for me.