Expert: Dennis Girardi - 4/9/2009

Question
I have 10 players on my coach pitch team. No bunting, walking, or stealing bases allowed. I have 1 strong batter, 5 good batters, and 4 batters that will probably get out. What is the best hitting lineup ?? Thanks for your help!!

Answer
Hey Mike,
I love these type of questions..

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..
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 if possible, But once again, if he is not a good base runner this could backfire

Batting Order

good hitter
good hitter
strong hitter
good hitter
good hitter
no hitter
good hitter
best of the no hitters
good hitter
fastest of the no hitters

Good Luck and let me know it worked out.
Dennis