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Apr 8, 2010
96
0
Hello All:

I haven't posted in awhile . Today I am looking for some insight on logic behind batting order?
My daughter plays varsity softball has a bat avg. .510 and bats last. She will be playing college ball in two years, so she can play and hit real well line drives and the occasional long ball over the fence.

My main question is why does her high school coach always keep down in the batting order never moves her up.She is a strong kid mentally but sometimes I overhear talking to her big brother and saying "coach really dont like me cause no matter how good i do i still bat in the bottom of the order no matter what." Sometimes guys she is the only one to reach base first? Also she gets upset cause if team doesnt hit she loses at bats etc...

Can someone explain this logic? Should I ask the head coach why or should I just let it go ?

In travel ball she bats in the 2 hole......

Thanks
JWP
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Do not try to understand the actions of a HS coach using critical thinking. It can be an futile exercise since a softball centric mindset is often conspicuously absent. Many HS coaches are intimidated by TB players. Do not try to understand it. Just make the most of it and encourage her to use it as an opportunity to prepare to play in college.
 
May 29, 2013
226
0
Same thing here. Lazy? Complacent? Lack of understanding? Too much razzle dazzle? Doesn't want to confuse the minds? Would rather have one or two angry girls vs. seven or eight?

Unless she asks she may never know. I think it's a fair question for her to ask. Not you though.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
My DD batted last in HS. She was a strong hitter. The coach wanted her as a lead off, down there. Plus coach spread the line up around, so as to not have weak hitters together.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Hello All:

I haven't posted in awhile . Today I am looking for some insight on logic behind batting order?
My daughter plays varsity softball has a bat avg. .510 and bats last. She will be playing college ball in two years, so she can play and hit real well line drives and the occasional long ball over the fence.

My main question is why does her high school coach always keep down in the batting order never moves her up.She is a strong kid mentally but sometimes I overhear talking to her big brother and saying "coach really dont like me cause no matter how good i do i still bat in the bottom of the order no matter what." Sometimes guys she is the only one to reach base first? Also she gets upset cause if team doesnt hit she loses at bats etc...

Can someone explain this logic? Should I ask the head coach why or should I just let it go ?

In travel ball she bats in the 2 hole......

Thanks
JWP

Communication can go a long way towards answering such questions. At the High Schools I'm familiar with the players are encouraged to communicate with the coaches where they can ask such questions and seek feedback. Just make sure you're ready for that feedback.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
My DD batted last in HS. She was a strong hitter. The coach wanted her as a lead off, down there. Plus coach spread the line up around, so as to not have weak hitters together.

This made me laugh.

One of the bigger factors in winning games is realizing back-to-back hits (read ... "Baseball Between The Numbers") ... something that is less probable when you scatter weak hitters around so that they don't feel so bad about being weak hitters.
 
Apr 8, 2010
96
0
Guys

Thanks for the feedback. My kid is a team player and wont approach the coach because she is very stubborn and set in her ways. Stand an said correctly the coach would rather have one or two girls upset than the others. I told her just keep hitting the ball hard and getting on base. She just wanted to get a little respect from her coach but I guess it wont happen..

JWP
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Guys

Thanks for the feedback. My kid is a team player and wont approach the coach because she is very stubborn and set in her ways. Stand an said correctly the coach would rather have one or two girls upset than the others.

IMO, if she's too stubborn and set in her ways to ask the coach, then she should not make assumptions, such as the one you offered.

Don't get me wrong. If the situation is as you described it, there's no logic in the decision, and it's hard to take. I just don't think it's fair for anyone to conjecture if they aren't willing to have a conversation with the coach to verify.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Sounds like she is a sophomore playing with a bunch of juniors and seniors so the HC may feel she has to put in her dues to bat higher in the line-up? Are there younger players batting ahead of her or is she the only sophomore starter? I don't see anything wrong with her asking the coach what she can do to move up in the order? You also have to remember she will be the big fish the next two seasons and needs to get along with this coach. School ball should be mostly fun, celebrate the fact that she is getting lots of playing time without the pressure of the travel ball schedule.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Guys

Thanks for the feedback. My kid is a team player and wont approach the coach because she is very stubborn and set in her ways. Stand an said correctly the coach would rather have one or two girls upset than the others. I told her just keep hitting the ball hard and getting on base. She just wanted to get a little respect from her coach but I guess it wont happen..

JWP

Tell her Good Job and to keep hitting the ball hard. Respect earned from someone you don't respect is of little worth.
 

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