If they are also the two fastest girls on the team (and are good base runners, too), then it is a no-brainer to hit them #1 and #2. The pressure two speedy slappers puts on a 12U defense is intense and it doesn't go away once they're on base. In fact, at 12U you'll often see outfielders still playing shallow after the slappers have concluded their at-bats because the steal threat they present messes with the defense's heads a bit. This can leave an RBI smorgasbord for the #3 hitter if she has some pop (and she should). Just remember to tell your 3-hole hitter to survey the defense and to be hitting the first pitch (if it's good) if she sees that the outfield hasn't gone back to normal depth.
Slappers - back to back or spread out
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If you only had one of these slappers, would she be the leadoff on this particular team?
If you only had the other slapper, would she be the leadoff on this particular team?
If you answered yes to both, then I bat them 1-2.
- May 17, 2012
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Replace *slappers* with any of these: tall kids, short kids, blonde hair kids, funny kids, etc.
Your lineup should be based on projected results and not *how* they they do it.
Highest OBP first. Someone with good speed, and a good bunter 2nd. Second highest OBP 3rd. Best shot at base hits 4,5,6.
I saw someone above post high OBP batting 9th. Good theory, if it works. My DD last year lead team in OBP and coach always batted her 8th or 9th. (he did a lot of questionable things) Theory was to get her on base before the lead off hitters. Well problem was, she almost always batted with 2 outs. She still got on base a lot, but also got stranded a lot because she got on with 2 outs.
I saw someone above post high OBP batting 9th. Good theory, if it works. My DD last year lead team in OBP and coach always batted her 8th or 9th. (he did a lot of questionable things) Theory was to get her on base before the lead off hitters. Well problem was, she almost always batted with 2 outs. She still got on base a lot, but also got stranded a lot because she got on with 2 outs.
I hate giving the defense a free inning. The only reason I would spread them out is if I had a few week hitters and I would put one of the slappers in the middle of them.
Both were the lead-offs last year for separate teams!
Not of fan of batting weaker hitters at #2, or high on-base players at #9. Would not like my DD batting 9th if she led in OBP. But until she does, I won't know.
Sabr-based lineup
The thing is, a Sabermetrically (new word!) optimized lineup is worth 1-2 wins over 162 games in MLB vs. a traditional lineup. In FP, there may not be even that much of a difference due to the reduced innings, PA's, and games. Seems to me that you'd want them spaced a little just to avoid having 3 outs in a row somewhere else in the lineup. If you don't have that concern, put them anywhere.
- best OBP that is not best OPS or best SLG
- best OPS that is not best SLG
- best remaining OBP
- best SLG
- best remaining SLG
The thing is, a Sabermetrically (new word!) optimized lineup is worth 1-2 wins over 162 games in MLB vs. a traditional lineup. In FP, there may not be even that much of a difference due to the reduced innings, PA's, and games. Seems to me that you'd want them spaced a little just to avoid having 3 outs in a row somewhere else in the lineup. If you don't have that concern, put them anywhere.
At 12U the question would be are the both really *slappers* or just bunters. That would make a difference perhaps, depending on how much you run and how you like to create runs.....but I agree with most that girls that get on base and put pressure on the defense should go in front of your best hitters generally...
Not of fan of batting weaker hitters at #2, or high on-base players at #9. Would not like my DD batting 9th if she led in OBP. But until she does, I won't know.
Yeah, I wasn't very happy with it either. I hated seeing her stranded on base a lot. Good theory, if the batters behind her are able to produce.
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