Expert: Dennis Girardi - 3/27/2009

Question
This my first year managing a 11&12 year old little league baseball team . I always been a assistant or parent coach. I never had to work substitutions in the batting lineup and i have 12 kids on my team. Any pointers on what spots to put subs in lineup. I have 3 to 4 bats that still need allot of work but others are average or above. Maybe you could also tell me when you submit your lineup do you have to have subs positioned in the lineup. I hope this is enough info and thanks for any advice.

Answer
Hey Paul,

Here's some pointers.

BATTING ORDER.
Don't put your slowest player in the last spot. He'll slow down the top of the order.
The best line drive hitter should bat 3rd, unless he is overweight. Then he should bat 5th or 6th.
(Same reason.. you don't want to slow down the other runners.)
Your best singles hitter should be 1st or second..
The better bunter of the two top spots in the order should bat second.
Don't waste a lefty in the leadoff spot, unless you have a bunch of them. Save them for the number 2 slot or somewhere in the middle of the meat  (3rd,4th,5th) of the line-up.
Bunch up a few a your good hitters together, so you can produce a few hits together..
Place your weaker hitters no earlier than 6th, unless you want the "one that stands there waiting for a walk," to get on base ahead of the better hitters. But once again, if he is not a good base runner this could backfire.

FIELDING POSITIONS.

Top fielders should be up the middle. (excluding the pitcher)
If there is stealing, than:
shortstop, centerfield, 1st base, and catcher
If there is no stealing, you can go with an average player, but one that can catch a fastball.
Hide the weaker fielder in right or left field..Rightfield if the pitcher throws slow and left field, if the pitcher throws hard.
The same works for third and second base. Put him where the law of averages says the ball is less likely to be hit. DO NOT change one player from left to right , in the middle of an inning because a better hitter is coming up.. Not good..
Good Luck.
Dennis