Baseball Basics: Batting Line-up
The batting line-up of a team is the central part of its planning strategy. The line-up is usually tactically chosen on a game-to-game basis and cannot be altered during the game. Keeping in mind the aim of the team, i.e. scoring runs, the arrangement is
done in a manner so as to maximise the probability of runs being scored.
The batters are usually classified as “table setters”, “sluggers” followed by bottom of the line-up. Each team is allowed three-outs per inning and thus it is preferred that individual play should be avoided unless all bases are loaded and chances are high
for a Grand Slam.
Runs are the priority for any team in baseball but the way they are achieved holds utmost importance. If all hitters attempt to smash the ball out of the ballpark, chances are high that the team will not end up compiling many runs. However, if team-play
is preferred, the probability of a high-score is high.
The hit which enables a run to be completed is sometimes as important as the run itself. If a runner is at second base and the hitter smashes a double, the hitter is awarded with a “run batted in”, commonly known as RBI. Although an RBI does not have any
significance in the game, it helps in gauging the stature of a player to produce hits in tough situations.
The first two batters in the line-up are referred to as the table setters and are required to get on the bases only. It is not necessary for them to produce hits and getting a walk to the first base is equally beneficial for them.
The first batter, referred to as the “leadoff man” is usually required to get to first base, by any means, and then distract the fielding team by attempting to steal base. The second batter is required to help the first batter advance to the next base even
if he has to get out in the process, although it is an advantage if he does manage to make it to a base safely.
The manager usually places the sluggers from number three to five when at least one base and preferably two bases are occupied by the table setters. The number three batter will usually drive the ball and occupy a base to ideally load all three bases and
give the number four hitter, often referred to as “clean-up hitter” a chance to smash a Grand Slam or a three-run homer. If the number four hitter somehow fails to connect, he is insured by the number five hitter.
The first-five batters in the line-up determine the chances of success for any team, however, the bottom of the line-up is equally important and placing the lesser effective batters as the bottom four batters would mean giving the opposition at least three
easy innings in a regular game.
If the fielding team is aware that the bottom four hitters are poor, there are high chances that they would intentionally walk the last recognized hitter to take their chances on the tail. The fielding side sometimes allows the clean-up hitter an intentional
walk too.
In the American League, teams are allowed to use a Designated Hitter who does not field but hits when wanted by the batting team, taking the advantage of easy innings away from the fielding side.
Substitutions are allowed during the game and the player being substituted is not allowed to return to the game. If a hitter is substituted, the new player is termed as a pinch hitter and if a runner is substituted, the player is called a pinch runner.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: