How to Optimize the Batting Order in Softball

Softball is a “small ball” game. That is, the strongest teams pride themselves in the short game: Bunting, moving the runners around the diamond, speed for stealing, and consistent hitting.
In softball, it’s not always about who can hit for power. It’s more about which players can consistently get themselves on base or advance their teammates. This guide offers valuable tips for coaches on how to optimize their lineups in order to build the strongest offensive team possible.

The Leadoff
The lead-off batter on every softball team is generally one of the best hitters on the team. This player has speed, a high on-base percentage (glossary link), a low number of strikeouts, and consistently makes contact. The first batter could be a solid contact-hitter, a left-handed slapper, or a bunter who is fast enough to beat the throw at first base.

No. 2
The second batter in the lineup is usually one the faster players on the team and has the best bunting capabilities. This is because the number-two batter needs to be the best at moving runners on the bases (generally with a successful bunt). This batter should strike out infrequently, and she could either be the second-best slapper or the best bunter on the team.

Hot Tip: A Speedy Bunter
A team will have a tremendous advantage if the second batter can move runners on base, but also get herself on base without needing to sacrifice her own out.

No. 3
The batter who occupies the third slot in the lineup is usually the best overall hitter on the team. She is the most consistent batter. Whether the hits are singles, double, triples, or home runs — the number-three batter gets on base. This batter should also be skilled at hitting through the holes in the infield or behind the runners on base (hitting behind a runner gives that runner the best chance at advancing to the next base).

No. 4
The fourth batter is primarily known as the “clean-up” batter. This batter is typically the strongest hitter on the team. Not only is she consistent, but she can hit well and her hits are hard.The fourth batter is the team’s power hitter and commonly has a low number of strikeouts.

Getting on base is expected, and hard hits to the gaps are generally the result of solid contact. This batter is placed fourth because, ideally, there will be multiple runners on base already — and she’ll clean up the bases.

Nos. 5 & 6
The fifth and sixth batters are essentially the next strongest hitters on the team. While the fifth batter is typically the second-best power hitter, the sixth batter might be a strong, lead-off-type hitter. The sixth batter leads off the bottom of the lineup. By being able to get on base, the sixth hitter puts herself in the best possible position to extend rallies and score on singles hit by the seventh and eighth batters.

Nos. 7 & 8
The bottom of the lineup, the seventh and eighth batters, is generally occupied by the weakest hitters on the team at the time of that specific game. That is, these two batters are generally in slumps and are showing some weaknesses. This specific placement in the lineup allows them to rebuild confidence in their hitting. The seventh and eighth spots often allow batters to have at-bats with less pressure — which would cause further stress on their confidence.

No. 9
The last batter in the lineup can be one of two types of hitters, depending on the depth of your team and your coaching philosophy:

The weakest batter in the line-up
A second lead-off batter

Some coaches philosophize that the ninth spot should be occupied by the absolute weakest hitter on the team. But, this isn’t always the best way to go about choosing your lineup.
If it’s an openly known coaching strategy that the ninth batter is the weakest, any player constantly placed in the ninth spot won’t have too much confidence in her hitting capabilities. Other players will also be aware that this spot is reserved for the weakest hitter, which may cause some animosity on the team if non-starters question why she’s still playing at all.

If a stronger batter is placed in the ninth spot, she’ll be able to bring the top of the order back up. This batter must also be fast enough that she doesn’t slow down the speedy runners behind her. If the ninth batter can consistently get on base, it creates even more scoring opportunities because there will already be base runners when the best hitters at the top of the lineup come to bat.