Why Bat First at Home?

[CajunAmos]

I've seen this typically for tournaments and not once you start regular games (OOC or conference).

[CajunFan3406]

The reasoning is always to "jump" on an opponent from the get go by scoring early, which the softball team is very adept at doing. But another reason that probably doesn't get mentioned often, is it prepares the team to play on the road where they will never get the last bat.

[hunterjames]

I've been curious about this for a while. When we are playing at home why does Coach Lotief choose to bat first? Do we gain a statistical or psychological advantage by doing this?

When I played baseball and softball in my younger days I was told that being the home team and batting second gives the home team an extra advantage. The reasoning is that if the team batting last scores first, that means that the team batting first has already used their three outs for that inning in the top of the inning, and thus has fewer opportunities to come back.

Please note that I'm not preaching that we should change. I'm just curious as to why we do it.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Nu

Coach wants to give the team 21 outs. If home team and leading after 7... pitchers have pitched 21 outs but his offense would have only batted for 18 outs. Trying to give the ladies additional bats against outside competion early in the year.

[Boomer]

Because it is a major league baseball rule that the home team bats last.

How can you build a team for the post season if you do not put some pressure on the team. I think it is a great strategy.

---Is it a college and HS rule---I agree in games where you are gonna be double digit winners, just not a championship game!!!

[NuForce]

Coach wants to give the team 21 outs. If home team and leading after 7... pitchers have pitched 21 outs but his offense would have only batted for 18 outs. Trying to give the ladies additional bats against outside competion early in the year.

Never thought of it that way... makes sense to me.

[Cajunsmike]

It is non conference games and it give your team an extra at bat if you are leading in the 7th. You also get more experience for you pitcher if you are pitching in pressure situations early in the year.

Melrock has the correct main reason for batting first. It allows your hitters 7 innings to bat which is good experience early in the season. Also some games end early due to the "mercy" rule. You get at least 5 innings to hit in those situations. Note when conference play begins, the home team does bat second.

[31Ragin97]

Because it is a major league baseball rule that the home team bats last.

How can you build a team for the post season if you do not put some pressure on the team. I think it is a great strategy.

i think it was a great strategy in the past, but it's time may have come and gone as the game of softball (for better or worse) is changing

[MelRock]

i think it was a great strategy in the past, but it's time may have come and gone as the game of softball (for better or worse) is changing

Sorry, Mike has won more games than you and combined, I will go with his opinion. I think it is the right one to get the team seasoned.

Lets say we run rule 10 teams in the non conference schedule, that as a minimum of 30 less at bats and would say probably closer to 60 or 100. That last at bat is when some of the less know kids get to bat and show what they have against real competition. That game experience is invaluable for their development.

[Turbine]

I've been curious about this for a while. When we are playing at home why does Coach Lotief choose to bat first? Do we gain a statistical or psychological advantage by doing this?

When I played baseball and softball in my younger days I was told that being the home team and batting second gives the home team an extra advantage. The reasoning is that if the team batting last scores first, that means that the team batting first has already used their three outs for that inning in the top of the inning, and thus has fewer opportunities to come back.

Please note that I'm not preaching that we should change. I'm just curious as to why we do it.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Nu

They won't ever feel disadvantaged on the road (by batting first) where there are more than enough psychological speed bumps.

[CajunFan3406]

So I've seen 3 good arguments for doing it:

1) Allows your potent offense to "jump" on an opponent early
2) Allows you to have an extra at bat if you're leading, which is valuable for player development at the plate
3) Gets your team ready for playing on the road where you will have to bat first