Expert: Dennis Girardi - 5/31/2008

Question
Hi Dennis. I coach a youth team in a Majors (11-12) league that bats everyone. We have 11 in the lineup. I have 4 guys who make contact almost every time, with good power,  good eyes, and have excellent speed. I have a 5th guy who is very fast but can't hit, and only bunt. I have 3 overweight guys who sometimes connect but also strikeout a lot, and when they do hit in the infield, they almost always get thrown out. Stealing is not an option for them, even with a wild pitch. The last 3 guys never hit, and almost always strike out. Batting order ideas? We have playoffs coming up and while I mixed and matched and let everyone bat in different positions during the season, i thought about this as my Playoff lineup: 1-4, my 4 best contact hitters, with my very best in the #2 slot. The 5th batter another decent contact hitter but not much speed. 6th batter one of the fat guys who has tons of power but strikes out a lot. 7th batter is the speed demon who can bunt only. 8th guy another fat guy who rarely makes contact, but when he does he hits hard. 9th guy never hits but walks a good amount and is fast. 10-11 guys strike out almost every time and never hit.

Am I crazy or what? HELP!


Answer
Hey Randy,

I like this question.. Let's see if I can figure it out.
First get a piece of paper and write the names as I give you what you want and at what position in the batting order.. I'll wait. (la, la, la) Are you back? You can fill in as you see fit. Here we go.

Okay First pick your lead-off hitter and number 3 and 4 hitters.
Out of you best 4 hitters your:
1st batter should be the fastest or second fastest on the team, but not the one with the most power.
3rd batter should be your very best hitter.
4th batter should be your second best hitter. Doesn't have to hit the long ball, leave that for the three hitter. It's more important the he can drive in runs. Doubles are fine.  One note.. If your #3 hitter is considerately slower than your #4 hitter, than flip flop the two.  You don't want the slower runner slowing down the faster one.
Okay, now the bunter should be either in the 2 hole or in the 11 hole.  He will be there to sacrifice the runners for the bigger bats.  I would suggest to try him in the last spot, first, cause you can put someone in the second spot that may "take" a lot of pitches. Then the leadoff hitter can steal a base or two and you won't have to waste an out to get him in scoring position. Maybe your ( 9th guy) who will take a walk, could bat second as long as he doesn't slow down your 3 and 4 hitters.
Also, don't put too many of your overweight guys too far down in the batting order, or they will slow down the speed at the top, if they get on base. Now place the (fifth batter) the one you say, is "the decent contact hitter but not much speed" in the 5th to 7th slot.
Now it's up to you to take it from here. Spread out your overweight kids and pray that some of them don't show up. Ha!
Good Luck and let me know how it all goes up.
Dennis