Just wondering how many of you guys subscribe to the theory that views the ninth batter as the "second leadoff"? Personally, I think it's a crock, and should be reserved for one of your weaker hitters. Any arguments to the contrary?
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Hey got mine...team RBI leader at #8...Still trying to figure that one out...there has to be a good solid baseball reason why...doesn't there?
Theory, theory...anyone got a theory...
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Hey got mine...team RBI leader at #8...Still trying to figure that one out...there has to be a good solid baseball reason why...doesn't there?
Theory, theory...anyone got a theory...
44
It all depends on your team--we are a travel team so every kid in the lineup is a hitter---we use the "9" and "10" slots for hitters with speed
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TR..
I really like this!....Younger is slow...But I really like this!...there is hope!
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TR..
I really like this!....Younger is slow...But I really like this!...there is hope!
44
The batters at the bottom of the order will bat fewer times than those at the top. Plain and simple, why wouldn't you want your better hitters at the plate the most times? Pro teams have had a lot of years to think about batting orders, ya gotta believe they've pretty much got it figured out by now.
I believe it should be a batter with speed in the 9 hole.
Sometimes a Coach will say to a batter in the 9 hole that your my second leadoff to ease the pain of batting 9th.
Usually a younger player.
I would say any place in the line up coach, just not the bench.
Easiest way to move up in the line up, Out hit everybody else on your team. The EH
Sometimes a Coach will say to a batter in the 9 hole that your my second leadoff to ease the pain of batting 9th.
Usually a younger player.
I would say any place in the line up coach, just not the bench.
Easiest way to move up in the line up, Out hit everybody else on your team. The EH
The nine hole is a good spot for other reasons. In high school if you have trouble hitting curve balls, 9 is a good, because you see more fastballs.
Kid who usually bats 9 for us loves it, plus you score lots of runs if you get on, Second leadoff man.
Kid who usually bats 9 for us loves it, plus you score lots of runs if you get on, Second leadoff man.
Most high school teams have 3-4 very good players.
None is "buried" in the #9 spot.
#9 is usually the worst hitter on the high school team...except if mom says "no, he's not".
Simple as that.
None is "buried" in the #9 spot.
#9 is usually the worst hitter on the high school team...except if mom says "no, he's not".
Simple as that.
In HS and Legion our #9 batter was not the best hitter but always one who crowded the plate, took one for the team, could bunt, run bases, and made the other team mentally regret they let the #9 guy get on base.
Have to go with TR on this one - depends on the strength of the team. Son played for a travel team that didn't have any weak spots in the line-up and loved hitting in the 9 spot. Invariabley they'd come up against a team where an opposing coach or player would yell something ridiculous like "#9 batter - nothing to worry about". He loved to hit against teams that thought the 9 spot was nothing. Granted not all teams have strength all the way through the line-up, but you're probably better off if you never underestimate your opponent.
I think Tony LaRussa sometimes put his pitcher in the 8 spot and had a better '2nd-leadoff-type' hitter at #9. Not exactly sure why, but he had a reasonable justification for it, I just can't recall it right now.
Agree with EH, 9 hole hitter better have speed or else your leadoff guy is going to run up his back in situations. I think a good 9 hole hitter also gives your 1,2,3 guys a opportunity to find more holes if your 9 guy is on base.
Dad10, I believe he did that when Rick Ankiel was on the mound and he said he was a better hitter than his normal 8 hole guy. Can't remember for sure but I believe that was it.
Dad10, I believe he did that when Rick Ankiel was on the mound and he said he was a better hitter than his normal 8 hole guy. Can't remember for sure but I believe that was it.
Well here's why I ask. I've been a lead off hitter every year I've played ball. Now I'm on the freshman team, and the coach has me batting ninth eventhough I'm batting about .500 and am the fastest runner on the team. I don't really mind it because I'm happy to be playing, but i don't understand it when there are several guys ahead of me in the order that are really struggling at the plate. One teammate has a zero batting avg and was batting 8th. It's also weird that coach keeps changing the leadoff hitter every game.
Dad10
I remember LaRussa doing that a couple years back. I think he did that for about half of the year.
I remember LaRussa doing that a couple years back. I think he did that for about half of the year.
My second best lead off guy has always hit in the 9 hole. Always! As a Junior my second best lead off guy hit .354 and was outstanding. He got pitches to hit at least the first time around in conference games and he started alot of big innings. As a sr he moved to the lead off hole as the other guy graduated. As a Freshman in College he was back in the 9 hole and as a Jr and Sr in college he led off and was all conference and team mvp at the d-1 level. The 9 guy may be my best 2 hitter but I would rather have in the 9 hole where I can put pressure on my opponent at both ends of the order. Just the way we do it , works for us.
Woody's son
It sounds like you'll get your chance soon enough if you keep hitting .500 and show the coach your speed.
Just keep hanging in there. the EH
quote:It's also weird that coach keeps changing the leadoff hitter every game.
It sounds like you'll get your chance soon enough if you keep hitting .500 and show the coach your speed.
Just keep hanging in there. the EH
I used to hit 9th in the Canadian Championship last summer ... and not because I am the worst batter on the team. The whole season I was 1st or 2nd batter... why ? easy answer
The coach picked some player from other team to fill the line up with the best player as possible.
So if you have the best 1,2,3,4 batters as possible why would you put your weakr hitter in the 9th hole. I was there to go on base and run and I did ... when youre 9 and you go on base more often because youre not the weaker hitter and if you have some of the best 1,2,3 batters you will score most of the time and get some points on the board!!!
During the season we had a 220lbs 5'7'' (probably running the 60yds over 9seconds)and probably the weaker batter. Would you put him in the nine hole??? Nah I dont think so he hitted 8th... but maybe you have another point of view!
The coach picked some player from other team to fill the line up with the best player as possible.
So if you have the best 1,2,3,4 batters as possible why would you put your weakr hitter in the 9th hole. I was there to go on base and run and I did ... when youre 9 and you go on base more often because youre not the weaker hitter and if you have some of the best 1,2,3 batters you will score most of the time and get some points on the board!!!
During the season we had a 220lbs 5'7'' (probably running the 60yds over 9seconds)and probably the weaker batter. Would you put him in the nine hole??? Nah I dont think so he hitted 8th... but maybe you have another point of view!
I kind of see the 9th batter as being a second lead-offf, because his role is to turn over the lineup and get your star 1-2-3-4 batters more at bats
i see the 9th batter as an important batter just as batter 1
i see the 9th batter as an important batter just as batter 1
Actually every batter in the lineup is as important as the others--they all need to do their job for the team to be successful
American League baseball, blah.
Next they'll have pinch runner for catchers and re-entry rules.
Next they'll have pinch runner for catchers and re-entry rules.