WebBall.com - Everybody Bats

Characteristics of a Good Line-up

For some coaches, building the batting order is intuitive. Other coaches struggle for days and weeks, often dissatisfied until the season is over.

To help you get started, here are some basic attributes to consider when you set your everybody-bats lineup.

BATTING ORDER: EVERYBODY BATS
Slot	Role	Attributes
1	Leadoff Hitter	Good speed Good eye Good base runner
2	Second Hitter	Unselfish Good contact hitter Good bunter Good eye
3	Best Hitter	Left handed hitter, if possible High average Good speed Makes good contact Power is a plus
4	Power Hitter	Good power Good pitch selection Extra base hits
5	Power	Much like attributes for Power Hitter Drive in runs
6	Contact Hitter	Put the ball in play Doesn't strike out much Good speed Base stealer
7	Weak Baserunner	If he puts the ball in play can contribute If he gets on, needs help to advance bases
8	Contact Hitter	Much like Second Hitter attributes Not a great hitter but could help advance 6,7 hitters
9	Third Power	Okay contact Enough power Can help plate previous runners
10	Contact	Determined hitter To keep inning alive
11	Power Sometimes	Inconsistent hitter Power when he connects He's here for the 'luck' facto
12	Weak Hitter	Willing to swing Determined to improve
13	Leadoff	Second lead off man Good eye Base stealer

This is for 13 players but can be adjusted for 12 or 14 - the principle is the same.

Main objective is to eliminate weak innings by spreading power, sprinkling in contact hitters. Always make sure speed leads slower runners (don't tie up the speedsters). Work on making weaker hitters better.

For leagues in which only nine players bat, click here.

Other considerations:

Try to mix-up right and left-handed hitters. This keeps the pitcher from getting into a rhythm - throwing to the same side of the plate to several hitters in a row.
Mix your speed players in between your slow players. This will keep you from ending up with all slow runners on the bases at one time. (Just don't stick your slowest player in the last slot just before your 'lead-off' hitter. In fact, try to follow your slowest baserunner with a good contact hitter to give him a better chance of advancing.)
Place a left-handed hitter behind a base stealer. This blocks the catcher's vision of the runner and creates a hole when the first baseman holds the runners on.