QBatting Order

I can't find the section on the web site that tells you a good schedule for line ups. For example... 15 players who plays when, etc.

AYou're right - we don't have that (and we thought we covered it all!) We do have a suggested batting order page, and I used to chart out 4-5 games in advance to develop a player rotation that would balance playing time for everyone for the positions they handled best. But depending on team commitment that won't always work for you. To my mind the key to having a good rotation is to have great practices in which everyone's skills improve and everyone has a good time. That way you can call on anyone at any time. The simplest approach is to have 3 players for each of two positions so that only one is on bench while two are in game. i.e. have 3 players who can handle 3rd and LF (same side same angle on ball). It is never that simple, of course.

[Since this was first answered the site has grown. Search for "batting order".

QBeing Out-Coached

My question is in regards to being out coached. There have been a number of times when I have lost a game because the opposing team out-coached me in terms of strategy, line-up, hitting, base running, etc. When that happens the loss is fun because everyone learns and the game is typically fun. But every season (spring, summer & fall), there is that one coach (i.e. Dad) who tries to manipulate the rules, the game, etc. just to win. It is very upsetting as the kids lose out. Lately, despite all the positive feedback, compliments, etc. from parents, players, etc. over the past few years, it is starting to get to me. When it happens, I have a hard time letting it go. Do others feel this way, or am I taking it too seriously.

AWell, you may be taking it too seriously, but don't we all. What's the fun of baseball if we don't put our hearts in to it. That said, being beaten at strategy, doesn't mean the other team is manipulating the rules (I'd have to hear an example to know what you me an by this.) I myself once lost a game when the other team pulled 3 successful squeeze bunts in a row in the same inning - the other coach tried it, found a weakness in our defense and kept at it. We learned. I have heard coaches (and parents) complain about teams running up the score with steals and the like when it is clear that they have already won. Or trying to shorten the bench time on substitutions if re-entry is allowed, or subbing pinch runners due to injury when the player coming off clearly isn't that injured. So what? If your players are better at the end of the season than they were at the beginning, regardless of win/loss record, then you have made the game fun for them and helped them grow. That's not to say winning is wrong - it's part of the fun. But at the end of it all, the coach obsessed with winning over anything else, may have some issues in his life that are beyond my abilities to diagnose. Then again, we'd all rather win than lose so it comes down to how we go about it and it sounds like you are on the right track.

QDouble Switch

I never have completely understood how and/or when/why a manager makes a 2 for 1 switch substitution.

AThe double switch is something you see in NL games or in any league in which there is no designated hitter. What happens is that a pitcher change is required, however that slot in the batting order (usually 9th) is coming to the plate in the next inning, so rather than anticipate a new pitcher wasting an at-bat (or be forced to make another batter substitution) in the next offensive inning, the double switch is implemented - when the replacement pitcher is announced he is brought in not in the upcoming (9th) spot but in a spot in the batter order that has just been at bat. And that player is also sub'd with his replacement being put into the original pitcher slot (9th). The result - you get a new pitcher in the game who may not have to bat for a couple of innings, and you have a better batter (you hope) coming up for your side in the next inning.
This doesn't happen much in the amateur ranks at HS or below because young pitchers are often good all-around players - may be some of your best hitters and fielders too.

QEverybody Bats

I coach girls 9-10 softball (rec. league, everyone must play). That said, I have 13 girls... 5 of whom are power fielders/hitters (and are my infield). No matter what I - drills, repetitions, etc. - I can not get the other girls to "get" the game, understand the game, or want to be part of the game. My question is my batting order. In an ideal world, I could arrange my 1st 5 as they say to, but basically, my other 8 girls are inconsistent, and not "hitters" at all. How do you arrange that batting order?

AFirst off, this is a common problem, not just in 9-10 y.o. girls softball, or in rec. leagues. One inning in 3 is not usually good enough to win a game - given that even your best 5 will not always hit. Look for other attributes in the others - like speed - to mix in with the 'sure' hitters. For instance. traditionally in the game your best hitter is 3 slot, most power in 4, next best in 5. What we often do is move our second best hitter to 7 and second best slugger to 8, then mix in contact and speed. The idea is to not have 3 more certain outs in a row, and to sometimes have runners on base ahead of the better hitters. It doesn't always work. The best long term solution is to continue to improve the weaker girls. Maybe the drills you are doing are not helping. How much tee work do you do? How much soft toss? How much with two-balls of different colors to improve eye tracking? If that doesn't work, then you should work more on defense - if you can't score runs then you need to keep the other team off the board - there are lots of fun, effective fielding drills to improve ball sense and ball handling. At the end of the day, even after the effort, if this is going to be one of those teams that just doesn't do well, then make sure you have some good snacks and good cheers and some fun out there. There is always next year

QFirst Base Coach

What exactly is the first base coach supposed to do? Does he have a specific purpose

AGood question. :-) Seriously, the first base coach serves as additional eyes and ears for the base runners. He will help the batter get himself set as support for 3rd base coach calling signs. He will help the hitter coming to first to know whether to run through the bag or take a turn or even slide under a throw coming down the line off the bag. (You want the hitter focused on the bag not where the ball went.) The first base coach may also be the first to spot an overthrow and know whether the runner should advance to 2nd - or not. He may also be the hitting coach, so a good time to reinforce with the runner who is now safely at first what kind of pitch he hit, whether he felt he got it all, what he can do next time. He will then watch the signs from 3rd and make sure the runners has picked them up. He may also watch the catcher for any giveaways by position on whether a pitch-out might be coming, or else what kind of pitch is coming. (Some catchers put the glove out early - if high the pitch has a greater chance of being popped up so not a good time for the runner to steal. Or the catcher may look like he is getting set for a breaking pitch in the dirt.) He will watch the pitcher for pick off moves - the back foot, the the throwing shoulder, etc. If on the pitch the catcher's knees drop to the dirt, that is a sure sign of steal potential and he might get the runner moving. On a subsequent hit, he might call out to the lead runner to pick up the other coach, and will again have responsibility for the trailing runner coming to first. With runners on second and third, the 3rd base coach is focused on that lead runner, so the first base coach watches the fielders around the trailing runner at two for any possible pick-off plays.

QIntentional Walks

Do you ever intentionally walk some when there are runners on 1st and 3rd and one out, no matter the hitter up or inning (we are talking major leagues).

AThe usual reason to intentionally walk a batter is to avoid power (i.e. Barry Bonds) or to put a runner on first to set up a possible double play.

With a runner already on first the double play is already a possibility and the idea of pushing another runner into scoring position just seems wrong. But there are those unintentional-intentional walks... pitching around a good hitter, giving him nothing good to hit, which may start with runners first and third and do result in bases loaded.

The other intentional walk with merit is with runners on 2nd and 3rd - to create a force situation at all bases and home plate.

QRelaying Signs

I coach a senior league team. The other night they called a balk and sent the runner on third home. Their reasoning was that I gave my pitcher a sign from the dugout. Is this a rule? I was under the impression that anyone could signal the pitcher or any other player on the field?

AIt is not stated anywhere in the rules that you cannot give signs to the pitcher. However to be on the safe side relay the signs through the catcher.

In fact on review, we would have said this...

A: The rules do state that "Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch." There is reference to a "quick pitch" in that section which is a balk, but no where do the rules state that the coach cannot give signs to his players under specific circumstances. The real question is where was the pitcher when the coach signaled him. To be on the safe side relay the signs through the catcher.

Of course that doesn't include signals from the dugout to pitchers and fielders for pick-off plays, etc, so where do you draw the line.

The point of this is to show that it's important for coaches (and players) to know the rules and to understand the umpiring process and how it can affect your strategy and the outcome of the game.

QRun Production

I play on a college baseball team that has trouble getting runs across. We have no one that can mistakenly be considered a power hitter and every other game struggle to put the ball in play. Over the past two years we have repeatedly made pitchers that throw low to mid eighties look a lot like Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson out there.

I pitch here and I am having probably the best year of my career and have yet to record a win. We have won only twice on the year and both wins came against Nationally ranked opponents. What could we do as a team to turn our season around?

That's the trouble with baseball, it's the one team sport that absolutely depends on top individual performance from everyone. A batter can't pass the puck to a better scorer - he has to take his own at-bat. And when few are performing at the plate, it's tough to be a pitcher on the same team.

Sounds like the team needs to develop first as contact hitters, then as base stealers - create offense anyway you can, even through errors. On the practical side, it also sounds like everyone needs more time in B.P. (in the cage and off the Tee).

If I was coach, I'd also totally rebuild my batting order, work on bunts, practice runner-on situations in sim games to remind everyone how good it feels to move runners around the bags.

QScheduling

I can't find the section on the web site that tells you a good schedule for line ups. For example... 15 players who plays when, etc.

AYou're right - we don't have that (and we thought we covered it all!) We do have a suggested batting order page, and I used to chart out 4-5 games in advance to develop a player rotation that would balance playing time for everyone for the positions they handled best. But depending on team commitment that won't always work for you. To my mind the key to having a good rotation is to have great practices in which everyone's skills improve and everyone has a good time. That way you can call on anyone at any time. The simplest approach is to have 3 players for each of two positions so that only one is on bench while two are in game. i.e. have 3 players who can handle 3rd and LF (same side same angle on ball). It is never that simple, of course.