The Optimal Select Baseball Batting Order

(10-Man Lineup • No Run Cap) Select baseball is not Little League. Pitching is better, defenses convert outs, and long innings are earned — not gifted. With no run cap and a 10-man continuous lineup, the goal isn’t a fast start. It’s sustained run production from the first inning to the last. This lineup structure is built to: Maximize plate appearances for the best hitters Reduce strikeout clusters Maintain pressure through the entire order Score runs in every inning, not just early ones 🧾 The Lineup (10-Man Order) Player 1 – Best on-base ability + speed Player 2 – Best all-around hitter Player 3 – Second-best overall bat Player 4 – Best power hitter Player 5 – Power + contact RBI bat Player 6 – High-contact, low-strikeout hitter Player 7 – Speed + pressure bat Player 8 – Developing but competitive hitter Player 9 – Defense-first / lower OBP bat Player 10 – Developing or weakest bat 🔍 Why Each Spot Works (Select Rules) 1️⃣ Leadoff — Player 1 The leadoff hitter in select baseball must earn first base. This spot belongs to the player who: Walks consistently Sees pitches Forces pitchers to work Can steal or take extra bases Pure speed without on-base skill doesn’t survive select pitching. 2️⃣ Two-Hole — Player 2 This is the most valuable lineup spot in select baseball. Your best all-around hitter belongs here because: They receive more total plate appearances They hit with runners on and bases empty They prevent empty innings They keep rallies alive against better pitching This is run-expectancy logic, not tradition. 3️⃣ Three-Hole — Player 3 This is the second-best bat in the lineup. This hitter: Protects the two-hole Capitalizes on early mistakes Hits in one of the highest run-production spots in the order In select baseball, the 2–3 combination often decides games. 4️⃣ Cleanup — Player 4 This is where real power matters. The cleanup hitter should: Drive gaps consistently Handle velocity Clear bases without needing perfect pitches Select cleanup isn’t about home runs — it’s about extra-base damage under pressure. 5️⃣ Five-Spot — Player 5 This is an RBI role. This hitter: Cleans up remaining runners Extends big innings Prevents pitchers from pitching around cleanup Strong teams separate themselves with a reliable 4–5 pairing. 6️⃣ Six-Spot — Player 6 This is a lineup stabilizer. High-contact hitters work well here because they: Keep innings alive Avoid strikeout rallies Bridge the order back to speed This is where rallies continue — or die. 7️⃣ Seven-Spot — Player 7 Speed shows up again intentionally. This spot: Applies pressure late in the lineup Turns singles into doubles Forces defensive mistakes before the bottom third Pitchers shouldn’t relax after the top six. 8️⃣ Eight-Spot — Player 8 Development with structure. This hitter: Faces real pitching Gets lower-leverage at-bats Isn’t exposed early but still contributes Select baseball still develops players — just intelligently. 9️⃣ Nine-Spot — Player 9 This is not a hiding spot. This hitter often bats: With two outs With runners on base In high-leverage innings Defense-first or lower-OBP bats fit better here than higher in the order. 🔟 Ten-Spot — Player 10 This is the true low-leverage slot. Best suited for: Developing hitters Players still adjusting to velocity Minimizing impact on the top of the order In a continuous lineup, structure matters more than tradition. 🧠 Final Takeaways Best hitters belong 2nd and 3rd Power clusters 4–5 Contact beats speed against select pitching Avoid strikeout pockets Build lineups that can score all game long This order isn’t flashy — it’s durable, balanced, and difficult to shut down.