I've tinkered with breaking down my lineup by examining every possible 3 batters that could come up: 1,2,3 ...2,3,4...3,4,5...always trying to separate my low average hitters to increase my odds of keeping an inning going. And, of course, trying to avoid putting a slower runner ahead of my jackrabbits..
in my line up
order Batting Average OBP
1 .397 .561 she has some decent speed
2 .447 .575 2nd fastest on team
3 .509 .583 fastest on team
4 .343 .436 one of slowest on team
5 .473 .595 average speed
6 .333 .436 other slow runner (but great base running skills)
7 .333 .451 average speed
8 .400 .500 decent speed
9 .412 .500 decent speed
This is my championship/dig game line up I have to sprinkle in the .196/.391 speedy but stupid base runner the, .171/.261 average speed and the .343/.436 decent speed but doesnt pay attention player in on Saturdays.
It seems to work though since I have used this line up we have won 2 championships, 1 2nd place and lost in international tie breaker scoring about 130 runs in 22 games
I think, at least for this year 8U, I have the batting thing worked out. I'm down to 10 on my roster. Forgive my excel skills I haven't converted their averages to "normal" softball averages but rather percentages. It's on my long list of things to work off of. Unless we play a team with exceptional fielding skills I bat 9 most innings. Every third girl is from the bottom of the percentage list with two strong hitters in between. Putting the so so hitters in between helps their confidence and increases their chances of hitting. It also spreads my outs out and gets more girls at bat.
Fast runner 87%
Fastest runner 93% double hitter
Fast 63%
Fast 67% solid double/triple if we were allowed in our age group
Quick 63%
Avg speed %63
Slow 100% Big hitter (I moved her out of 4th batter because I have so many other double hitters who's avg is coming up fast)
Quick when she wants to %60
Avg speed %47
Slow %20