THAT Parent

EddieYost

is not associated in any way with GHoff
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
10,742
NH
So new season, new parent thing. This has never happened before. I've been doing this this for a long time. Still 10U rec ball. I've kind of come to the conclusion it's kind of the last year to really help them improve. Once they go to 12U, it's off to travel teams or they move on.

I got an email this morning from a parent asking me to move her kid up in the lineup because he's hitting better and it would help the team. This kid currently hits 9th in a 12 player lineup. He can put the ball in play but he's inconsistent. Apparently he and his mother see his lineup position as a negative reflection of his ability. It's not from my point of view.

Unlike other coaches, I do not stack the weaker hitters exclusively at the bottom of the lineup. I don't think the idea of an automatic 1-2-3 inning but for luck (e.g. a BB or HBP) is a good go to strategy. I intentionally sprinkle in kids who can make fairly regular contact in the lower part of the lineup so I don't have 3-4 weak hitters back to back. I try to rotate them but some kids, like this one, sort of settle in and are very effective in their slot. I want base runners when the lineup turns and my highly reliable hitters come to the plate ( generally the top four).

Thoughts and comments as to whether you agree with my lineup approach and how you would respond to this parent?
If it’s rec and your strategy is to sprinkle the good hitters throughout the lineup let some other good hitter bat 9th some times. I think it’s a cop out in rec to say... he does well 9th so I’m gonna leave him there.
 

moondog80

heart is two sizes two small
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
8,095
So new season, new parent thing. This has never happened before. I've been doing this this for a long time. Still 10U rec ball. I've kind of come to the conclusion it's kind of the last year to really help them improve. Once they go to 12U, it's off to travel teams or they move on.

I got an email this morning from a parent asking me to move her kid up in the lineup because he's hitting better and it would help the team. This kid currently hits 9th in a 12 player lineup. He can put the ball in play but he's inconsistent. Apparently he and his mother see his lineup position as a negative reflection of his ability. It's not from my point of view.

Unlike other coaches, I do not stack the weaker hitters exclusively at the bottom of the lineup. I don't think the idea of an automatic 1-2-3 inning but for luck (e.g. a BB or HBP) is a good go to strategy. I intentionally sprinkle in kids who can make fairly regular contact in the lower part of the lineup so I don't have 3-4 weak hitters back to back. I try to rotate them but some kids, like this one, sort of settle in and are very effective in their slot. I want base runners when the lineup turns and my highly reliable hitters come to the plate ( generally the top four).

Thoughts and comments as to whether you agree with my lineup approach and how you would respond to this parent?
I do my lineups the more conventional way because the bottom line is I want to get my hitters up as much as possible. But that’s not really the point — you volunteered to manage this team, you’ve earned the right to manage as you see fit.

As for mom, I can see why you might have an urge to explain yourself since this genuinely is a “not what it looks like” scenario. But my guess is she wouldn’t really believe you, because it does kind of sound like coachspaak (even though I have no doubt that you are sincere). Moreover, it’s completely inappropriate to email a coach like that. She doesn’t deserve a response. But if you feel like it would make your life easier (and I wouldn’t blame you if you did), I would send an email to the whole team explaining your batting order philosophy, reiterating that it is sincere, and firmly stating that it is your decision and your decision only.
 

mikeysox

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
45
[QUOTE="LoweTek, post: 3307176, member

I got an email this morning from a parent asking me to move her kid up in the lineup because he's hitting better and it would help the team...Thoughts and comments as to whether you agree with my lineup approach and how you would respond to this parent?[/QUOTE]

Ah the days of the 12 player lineup. Brutal. I usually had the better hitters at the top of the lineup but can understand your approach. But, no matter what you say, kids (and parents) will use lineup spot as a proxy for hitter value.

Even with the approach you are using I think there is value in moving kids around in the lineup from time to time. You could swap the kid in question for the number six hitter, for example, for a couple of games and see how it goes.

That said, the tricky part is you don't want the parents to think they can get changes by complaining. I would probably respond to the parent and (very briefly) explain your lineup construction strategy but then say that actually, at this stage in the season you are planning to move things around anyway, so you will be trying kids (incuding theirs) at different spots over the next few games.
 

Saints Rest

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
My son played U9 rec baseball in the fall as a 6 year old. It was Cal Ripken baseball so there were the pitching machines. When he started, many of the kids were older and had played together before for this coach. So my son played OF and batted way down in the lineup. Even when he got a hit, he was always (and I mean ALWAYS) left on base because all the rest of the bottom of the lineup was so weak that he would be stranded on base every time. This discouraged him because he never got to run the bases. And in the field, as an OF, he rarely saw any balls come his way. After 4-5 games, he hated baseball. (This after a season where he had been the star.)
As the season progressed, he finally showed the coach some skills and got moved into the IF and up in the lineup.
Suddenly he loved baseball again.
My point is that the spot in the lineup may be impacting how this boy enjoys the game.
And isn’t that what rec should be about? Engendering a love of the sport?
 

Cumberland Blues

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2001
5,193
When I coached U10...I made out what I thought was my best lineup for Game 1. I would not change it all year but for one twist...whoever was on deck when the game ended hit lead-off the next game. We had 11 kids and everyone hit, so if #7 was on deck when the game ended, the next game went 7-8-9-10-11-1-2-etc.
 

Just a bit outside

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 6, 2011
7,928
Monument, CO
When I coached U10...I made out what I thought was my best lineup for Game 1. I would not change it all year but for one twist...whoever was on deck when the game ended hit lead-off the next game. We had 11 kids and everyone hit, so if #7 was on deck when the game ended, the next game went 7-8-9-10-11-1-2-etc.
I did the same thing for my little league teams. I think is the best way to keep all the kids interested and engaged.
 

LoweTek

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 30, 2005
2,183
Central Florida
Some good thoughts here guys. Thanks for the replies.

I did respond to her much as mikeysox suggested, providing some explanation of why the lineup is constructed as it is. This woman is fairly knowledgeable about the game so I think she'll understand.

I might try the whoever was on deck at the end leads off the next game for a few games and see how it goes.

Thanks again.
 

EddieYost

is not associated in any way with GHoff
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
10,742
NH
I like the idea of picking up where you left off. Only issues is when kids show up last minute, but in that case I always tacked them on to the end.
 
Last edited:

Saints Rest

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
I want to applaud you for trying to stagger good hitters with those who are struggling. For me, that’s more important than who leads off the first; as we have discussed on the main board, other than the first inning, there’s pretty much equal chances of leading off any inning. Unless you put your three weakest hitters in a row.