How to Set a Defensive Lineup in Baseball
Having a good defensive lineup on your baseball team can mean the difference between winning and losing in any given game. Take advantage of your players' strengths by testing them for athletic abilities such as running, fielding ground balls and throwing. Remember that many errors players make are due to mental mistakes. Even if your team is full of skilled athletes, there is no substitute for knowing how many outs there are and what base to throw to in any given situation.
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Instructions
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Determine who should play outfield based on which players have the strongest arms. Outfielders are often tall and not ideally suited for infield play. Place your fastest and most athletic outfielder in center field. Place the outfielder with the strongest throwing arm in right field, as he will generally have to make stronger throws.
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Set the left side of your infield, including third base, shortstop and second base. These infielders should all be right-handed, quick on their feet and skilled at fielding ground balls. Put your strongest thrower at third base, as he will have to make the longest throws across the infield to first base. The infielder best at fielding grounders should play shortstop, with the remaining player at second base. The shortstop and second baseman should be quick at moving side to side and should be able to work together to make plays.
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Find someone left handed to play first base, A left-handed first baseman isn't imperative, but it's helpful. Your first baseman should also be tall, if possible, to catch high throws from other infielders. He should also be good at scooping balls thrown in the dirt and making long stretches.
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Choose a pitcher who can throw a strong fastball accurately for strikes. This will reduce the number of walks and wild pitches. Left-handed pitchers can be better defensively because they have a sneakier pick-off move to runners at first base.
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Choose a catcher who works well with pitchers at calling a game, and who is nimble enough to both crouch and jump up behind the plate. The best defensive catchers are able to block pitches in the dirt with their entire body. Also, look for someone with a strong and accurate arm to throw out potential base stealers.
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References
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