Making hitting lineup

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Mar 21, 2013
164
16
Do you guys make a lineup on what they have been averaging for 5/6 tourneys or do you go on the last weekend? Or a little of both? What's your thoughts?
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
By lineup, I assume you mean batting order?

The last 5/6 tournaments are more meaningful than the last tournament, IMO. But I'd say a little of both, plus what what they've done prior to the past 5/6 tournaments, and what they do in practice.

I'd also say that batting order tends to be overrated. Getting the right people in the lineup at the best positions in the field is far more important than batting order, IMO.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
I look at stats to verify what I think is really happening. In many cases it's really not that hard to
figure out the lineup. Some kids are mentally not suited to hit leadoff or cleanup. Others might
not have great stats but seem to come through when you need them. Not to mention the ability
to bunt or move a runner might not always show up in stats.

We've been on teams that rarely changed their lineup while other teams would change it almost every
game.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
I think some things do make sense if someone has a high OBP you want them higher in the lineup because the more AB they get the more base runners you will have. RBIs can be misleading because if your #7 and #8 hitters are never on base and your #9 hitter has the highest number of doubles on the team she won't have many RBIs, it makes sense to move her higher in the line up and see if she still produces. I'm a fan of changing lineups a little bit and seeing how things work, longer trends are usually a better indicator but even in tournament if someone really has a hot bat don't be afraid to move them around. Also don't fear retribution of players or parents my daughter is now batting 9th (with another good fast hitter 8th) but we are also turning over our lineup a lot more and 1-3 hitter have more base runners on.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I think some things do make sense if someone has a high OBP you want them higher in the lineup because the more AB they get the more base runners you will have. RBIs can be misleading because if your #7 and #8 hitters are never on base and your #9 hitter has the highest number of doubles on the team she won't have many RBIs, it makes sense to move her higher in the line up and see if she still produces. I'm a fan of changing lineups a little bit and seeing how things work, longer trends are usually a better indicator but even in tournament if someone really has a hot bat don't be afraid to move them around. Also don't fear retribution of players or parents my daughter is now batting 9th (with another good fast hitter 8th) but we are also turning over our lineup a lot more and 1-3 hitter have more base runners on.

I'm a big fan of putting a hitter with a high OBP in the last spot of the order. Having people on base when the order turns over is a good thing.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
I usually fall right in the middle and consider the last 2-3 tournaments rather than just 1 or the last 5-6. Peaks and slumps are natural so no reason to force a kid who is in a slump into the pressure of being at top of your order just because they used to hit well months ago. Its also a good idea to keep in mind the quality of the tournament/pitchers. Sometimes the kids that rock the slower/"easier" pitching don't compete as well against the faster/more advanced pitchers and vice versa.

I'm also not a fan of typecasting the spots in the lineup. Your goal is to have a lineup most adapt at producing runs, not to find the most stereotypical hitter to fill each spot.

At the end of the day it will rarely be the difference maker so don't stress.
 
May 13, 2012
599
18
Stats can head u in right direction and mislead also. High obp at top or 9th. Now for mis leading part. Low BA still has high obp creating problems for defense can move runners . Low BA but hit bullets all day, right to defense, needs runners in front of her cause she is probably due for 3 for 4 game. And the list goes on and on. I have tried many recipes and every once in a while it happens as planned.
 

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