Have any you guys used one of those computer programs that give you a batting order after putting in their on base percentage and slugging percentage? I don't think it takes into account the average though . How did it work out?
Yes that is the correct way (OBP and slugging) to make a batting lineup, this isn't the 1980's anymore. Having said that the difference between the optimal lineup and say a random lineup based on your gut instinct is small.
It's still best practice and it's one of 20 small things a coach can do to put his team in the best position to win.
A lot of baseball guys want to use stats to put together batting orders, but in softball teams rarely play enough games for stats to equalize.
Maybe, but you would agree that OPB and slugging is the correct way? Your position is that it is correct but it may or may not yield a significant results is baffling. If it just leads to ONE extra win per season why would you not do it?
If you can generate one extra win by optimizing the lineup, and if you can generate one extra win by always bunting in the correct scenarios (and not bunting when you shouldn't) as a coach you are actually making a difference.
The converse is going by your gut and eyeball test...that's just ego in my opinion. You shouldn't coach by statistics and analytics only, but you need to be informed.
If I set my lineup optimally and the other coach does not now I have a small advantage in that game. If the other coach steals when they shouldn't I have another small advantage there. Add up enough of those advantages in one game and now we are talking about meaningful differences that will affect the outcome of that game.
As you pointed out it doesn't guarantee victory every game but if you do it enough times over enough games you will win more games.
Just listened to an interesting podcast about this very topic - "using statistics to set a productive batting order". It's part of a new podcast series that the NFCA is producing. This one features Matt Meuchel, Asst Coach at the Univ of Arkansas. It's worth a listen to hear about how one SEC school uses stats when thinking about batting lineup.
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