| Little league and youth baseball coaches must | | | | The number #3 batter should have average |
| know how to make out a batting order. They | | | | speed. Putting a slow base runner in the #3 spot |
| must know the roles and responsibilities of each | | | | can cause a "log jam" on the bases. The #3 |
| batter in the line-up. They must know what are | | | | should continue to set the plate for the #4 |
| the physical requirements and hitting skills needed | | | | cleanup batter. |
| to perform the task associated with each spot in | | | | #4 Batter- The #4 spot is known as the cleanup |
| a team batting line-up. This article discusses the | | | | spot. The most powerful batter on the team |
| roles and duties of each player in a baseball | | | | should bat in this spot. His job is to "clean the |
| batting order. | | | | plate" set for him by the batters before him. He |
| A straight batting order is the most popular and | | | | should be an aggressive batter that has the best |
| commonly used. There is one #1 batter, one #2 | | | | bat speed and power on the team. |
| batter, one #3 batter, and the order goes on | | | | #5 Batter-The five spot is always considered a |
| down the order to the nine spot. The various jobs | | | | spot for a power hitter. He should be the second |
| and responsibilities of each spot are as follows: | | | | most powerful batter on the team behind the #4 |
| #1 Batter- Called the lead-off batter, the first | | | | batter. His foot speed is not considered a major |
| batter must get on base a lot. He should be a | | | | issue. His is there because he swings a powerful |
| good contact hitter with good speed and base | | | | bat. |
| running skills. He must be a patience hitter at the | | | | #6 Batter- The 6th spot in the order is often |
| plate that has the capability to take a lot of | | | | used for a lead-off player type batter. The 6 |
| pitches. He is a good two strike batter that can | | | | hitter should have a lead-off batter approach at |
| go deep in the count and still swing the bat with | | | | the plate and good speed on the bases. |
| confidence. He must have a good eye for balls | | | | #7 Batter-The seven spot is the "left-over" spot. |
| and strikes. He must know that getting on with a | | | | It is often used for an average player that is in |
| base on balls is as good as a hit when you are | | | | the lineup because of pitching or defensive duties. |
| the #1 batter in the order. The #1 hitter should | | | | #8 Batter-In most cases, the #8 hitter should be |
| not strike out a lot. The #1 hitter is a plate setter | | | | a player that loves to hit the fast ball. The theory |
| for the #3 and #4 hitters. | | | | is that the 8 hitter will often be overlooked with |
| #2 Batter-The #2 batter should have the highest | | | | the #9 hitter on deck. Also, it is thought that |
| on-base-average on the team. He must also have | | | | many teams will show little respect for the |
| the capability to go deep in the count and still hit | | | | bottom three batters in the order and feed them |
| with confidence, the #2 batter must take pitches | | | | a lot of fast balls. The number 8 hitter is normally |
| to allow the lead-off batter base runner to steal | | | | a player that is in the lineup on a regular basis. |
| second base. He must be a good bunter and a | | | | #9 Batter-The #9 spot is considered by many |
| good bat handler capable of executing the hit and | | | | coaches as the 2nd lead-off batter. The 9th spot |
| run play. His biggest responsibilities in order are is | | | | in the order is often used for the next best |
| to move the runner on first to second with by | | | | lead-off player behind your #1 hitter. The 9th |
| getting on base safely, moving the runner to | | | | hitter should have great base running skills and |
| second or third base with a ball hit to the right | | | | above average speed. |
| side of the diamond, or to sacrifice bunt the | | | | Coaching Point: Every batter that is the lead-off |
| runner to second base. The #2 hitter should not | | | | batter, starting an inning, should know the duty of |
| strike out a lot. The #2 hitter is also a plate | | | | a lead-off batter. The duty of the first batter in |
| setter for the #3 and #4 hitters. | | | | the inning is to get on base and to start a "rally". |
| #3 Batter-The best hitter on the team always | | | | The lead-off batter that gets on base, to start |
| hits in this spot. He must be a contact hitter. He | | | | the inning, score the majority of the time. |
| should be the best power hitter on the team with | | | | I hope that you found this article to be useful and |
| the highest number of extra base hits. He should | | | | informative. Good luck to you and your team this |
| have one of the highest batting averages on the | | | | year. Have a great day, Nick. |
| team. He should also be a capable base runner. | | | | |