The
forming of a batting order is not as simple as it seems. The coach
must arrange their order according to the players they have available.
The
coach should try to balance the line-up so that the attack is as
strong as possible from the lead-off man through to the ninth hitter.
BATTING
ORDER
PLAYER
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Leadoff Hitter
Ability to get on base often
Should be a fairly good hitter (not necessarily a
power hitter)
Good speed
Good eye (not swing at bad balls)
Good base runner
2. Second Hitter
Unselfish
Good contact hitter (good bat control)
Good bunter
Good eye
Be able to hit behind the runner
Does not strike out often
Able to bunt
Speed should also be an essential prerequisite
Be able to pull the ball and hit to opposite field
when required
3. Best Hitter
Left handed hitter preferably , if possible
High average
Good speed
Makes good contact
Power hitter is a plus
Able to pull the ball and drive in a few runs
Most consistent hitter (makes good contact)
4. Power Hitter
Good power hitter
Good pitch selection
Extra base hits
Possesses the most power and potential to drive in runners
Should be one of the two best hitters on the team
5. Power
Much like attributes for Power Hitter
Drive in runs
Slightly weaker hitter than the number four hitter
Somewhat slower although they have the same
qualifications as the number four hitter
6. Contact Hitter
Power hitter, although not as good as the third, fourth or fifth man
Put the ball in play
Doesn't strike out much
Good speed
Base stealer
7. Contact Hitter
Much like Second Hitter attributes
Not as good a hitter
Ability to execute the hit and run
8. Power
Poor contact
Some power
Not a high average hitter
9. Leadoff
Second lead off man
Good eye
Base stealer
Generally though, the seventh, eighth and ninth positions are
filled with the three weakest hitters. Of the three hitters, the
eighth and ninth men should possess the best speed. In this way, they
can act as lead-off men if they get on base.
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 8 slot before your two fastest
'lead-off' hitters. 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.
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.
