Little League Key: Building a Game Lineup
If you are coaching a rec league little league team, especially in the 8-9 year old range, one of your weekly tasks, maybe a couple times per week, is setting the game time lineup.
Building a game day lineup is one of my absolute favorite aspects of coaching this sport. I also believe it is one of the most important jobs you have as a coach, up there with setting a good example of how to interact positively with the umps, the other players and coaches.
I have found that it’s critical in these early baseball years to give kids experience across the diamond and the hitting order, as much as possible, and within reason. Not every kid will be able to pitch, catch, play first, but we can aim to get most kids experience at most positions, and we can aim to get each kid a chance to be lead off batter.
I usually start by setting the batting order. I sometimes randomize this each game, and other seasons I have diligently rotated the lineup each game, so that one game’s lead off hitter is the next game’s last batter. I think it’s critical that each player at this age get experience across that batting order.
On the defensive side, I emphasize regular engagement at practice with my players. Who wants to pitch in a game, who wants to catch in a game, etc. My favorite experiences are when a player reminds me that he’s been wanting to play first base, or catcher, and then I make a note on my paper copy of the lineup and try to remember to offer that opportunity in the next game.
When it comes to planning the defensive side of a game, I start with the pitcher, for each inning. I try to achieve a different pitcher each inning, if I have that kind of pitching depth. In the event I need to go two innings for a pitcher, I try to limit that duration to the players I know can get out the pair of innings with 40 pitches or less. As we approach the end of the season, and especially if our league includes a playoff series, I increase that willingness to offer my best pitchers 2 innings in a game.
Then I pair each inning’s pitcher with a catcher. Typically that results in a different catcher per inning, sometimes two consecutive innings for one or two players, especially deep in the season.
My next step is first base. I try to stick here with players who are comfortable catching different types of throws, moving off the base to get a catch, etc.
Then I start rounding out the rest of the defensive order per inning. Especially at this 8-9 year old age, I try to rotate infield and outfield, so that rarely does a player spend two consecutive innings in either IF or OF.
I recommend a spreadsheet or other tool to manage this process. I use the spreadsheet available via the Keys to Coach platform, since it provides a simple set of clear checks and balances per player and per inning. Ultimately, I’m looking for a pitching distribution that maximizes our strikes per inning and provides reasonable balance per player across the defensive field.
As the season progresses, and especially as we enter any form of playoffs, I become more focused on player positioning and more comfortable with players at their best positions multiple innings, especially pitching.
Check out the spreadsheet I use to manage my lineups, including the ability to keep history and notes, in the Keys to Coach Marketplace. Please comment here or through the web site or discussion forum to offer your own thoughts and experience with player lineup setting for rec youth league.
