The Lineup

The Lineup

What is the perfect lineup? How should you pick it? Who hits where and why? There are many ways you can write a lineup. Fastpitch World gives some thought to these questions and shares them with you. Do you put all the good hitters in the top of the order? Do you scatter them through the lineup? The perfect batting order would consist of speed and power, but sometimes power is hard to come by, at least consistent power. Let’s take a look from the top down.

Top or Leadoff

This hitter should have a high on base percentage. The lead off hitter should possess great base running ability. Notice we did not say your fastest player, but must be one of your smartest. Good short game ability is a big plus. This hitter can also be your best hitter who usually bats in the 3-4 spot. The reason you might want to do this is because lead off hitters generally get the extra at bats during each game. Over the course of the season, the lead off hitter could have as many as 35 more at bats than most of the team. This hitter as well as the 2 and 3 hitters should have the ability to be patient and make the pitcher work, allowing the team and coach to get a read on her ability.

Number 2 Hitter

This hitter should be your best contact hitter and not only have the ability to play the short game but also have the ability to hit ground balls around the infield. The 2 hitter must be able to hit the ball to the right side to hit behind the runner as well as hit the shortstop hole when the shortstop is moving to cover a steal. This hitter should also be a good 2 strike hitter which will force the pitcher to work harder and increase the batters chance to capitalize on a mistake.

Number 3 Hitter

Most of the time, this hitter is your best hitter, unless you use her in the lead off spot (as previously stated). The 3 hitter should be extremely consistent. This hitter should have gap power because with good one-two hitters, this hitter will have the chance to drive in runs. Speed is important in this position as the ability to take the extra base gives the 4-5 hitters the chance to hit with runners in scoring position.

Number 4 Hitter

This is another position that uses consistency as its most important criteria. Putting the ball in play will drive in runs from this spot.

Number 5 Hitter

This position should place the emphasis on power. The 5 spot needs to be able to drive in runs but may not have the consistency of the first 4 hitters.

Number 6 Hitter

If your lineup is deep, this position should be filled in the same mold as the 5 hitter. This type of hitter will allow the bottom of the order to play for a run while the top of the order plays for the big inning. This player is the one that is not as consistent as the players above but has big play potential. If you are not that fortunate and don’t carry this kind of depth, then return to the speed and lead off type hitter.

Number 7, 8 and 9 Hitters

These spots are more defensive minded than offensive minded. Speed and short game ability is good in these 3 spots, but not at the expense of defense. These hitters should make the pitcher work and be contact hitters that can hit with 2 strikes. If using the 6 hitter as a new lead off hitter, then the 7 hitter should be similar to the number 2 hitter. If you are using the 7 hitter as your second number 1 hitter, then your number 8 hitter should possess the same type of ability as your number 2 hitter.

Number 9 and 10 Hitters

Depending on how many batters are in your lineup, this hitter should be a better hitter than 7, 8, and 9 and have the ability to get on base. As the 10 hitter, the hitter becomes the lead off hitter in the top of the 4th (if you’re involved in a pitchers duel) and should be a threat if they get on base. Putting a consistent contact hitter and speed player in this spot allows the position to act as another lead off hitter and can start the ball rolling for your “big inning” offensive players that will follow.

One other thing to consider is not putting the 3 weak hitters in a row, giving the pitcher 2 innings of easy work in a seven inning game.

We hope this helps but would love to hear your perfect lineup. Email us with what determines your lineup and we can share it with all our readers.
Of course, the lineup we are posting will not work for every team and may not be the philosophy of every coach. Fastpitch World believes if you can follow this format, it is a way to have your lineup produce on a regular basis.

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The Lineup What is the perfect lineup? How should you pick it? Who hits where and why? There are many ways you can write a lineup. Fastpitch World gives some thought to these questions and shares them with you. Do you put all the good hitters in the top of the order? Do you scatter them through the lineup? The perfect batting order would consist of speed and power, but sometimes power is hard to come by, at least consistent power. Let’s take a look from the top down. Top or Leadoff This hitter should have a high on base percentage. The lead off hitter should possess great base running ability. Notice we did not say your fastest player, but must be one of your smartest. Good short game ability is a big plus. This hitter can also be your best hitter who usually bats in the 3-4 spot. The reason you might want to do this is because lead off hitters generally get the extra at bats during each game. Over the course of the season, the lead off hitter could have as many as 35 more at bats than most of the team. This hitter as well as the 2 and 3 hitters should have the ability to be patient and make the pitcher work, allowing the team and coach to get a read on her ability. Number 2 Hitter This hitter should be your best contact hitter and not only have the ability to play the short game but also have the ability to hit ground balls around the infield. The 2 hitter must be able to hit the ball to the right side to hit behind the runner as well as hit the shortstop hole when the shortstop is moving to cover a steal. This hitter should also be a good 2 strike hitter which will force the pitcher to work harder and increase the batters chance to capitalize on a mistake. Number 3 Hitter Most of the time, this hitter is your best hitter, unless you use her in the lead off spot (as previously stated). The 3 hitter should be extremely consistent. This hitter should have gap power because with good one-two hitters, this hitter will have the chance to drive in runs. Speed is important in this position as the ability to take the extra base gives the 4-5 hitters the chance to hit with runners in scoring position. Number 4 Hitter This is another position that uses consistency as its most important criteria. Putting the ball in play will drive in runs from this spot. Number 5 Hitter This position should place the emphasis on power. The 5 spot needs to be able to drive in runs but may not have the consistency of the first 4 hitters. Number 6 Hitter If your lineup is deep, this position should be filled in the same mold as the 5 hitter. This type of hitter will allow the bottom of the order to play for a run while the top of the order plays for the big inning. This player is the one that is not as consistent as the players above but has big play potential. If you are not that fortunate and don’t carry this kind of depth, then return to the speed and lead off type hitter. Number 7, 8 and 9 Hitters These spots are more defensive minded than offensive minded. Speed and short game ability is good in these 3 spots, but not at the expense of defense. These hitters should make the pitcher work and be contact hitters that can hit with 2 strikes. If using the 6 hitter as a new lead off hitter, then the 7 hitter should be similar to the number 2 hitter. If you are using the 7 hitter as your second number 1 hitter, then your number 8 hitter should possess the same type of ability as your number 2 hitter. Number 9 and 10 Hitters Depending on how many batters are in your lineup, this hitter should be a better hitter than 7, 8, and 9 and have the ability to get on base. As the 10 hitter, the hitter becomes the lead off hitter in the top of the 4th (if you’re involved in a pitchers duel) and should be a threat if they get on base. Putting a consistent contact hitter and speed player in this spot allows the position to act as another lead off hitter and can start the ball rolling for your “big inning” offensive players that will follow. One other thing to consider is not putting the 3 weak hitters in a row, giving the pitcher 2 innings of easy work in a seven inning game. We hope this helps but would love to hear your perfect lineup. Email us with what determines your lineup and we can share it with all our readers. Of course, the lineup we are posting will not work for every team and may not be the philosophy of every coach. Fastpitch World believes if you can follow this format, it is a way to have your lineup produce on a regular basis.