LineupFairSetting the defense when the coach pitches
Coach pitch is usually the step after T-ball. The coach, or sometimes a manager from the batting team, throws the pitches, so the defensive team has a different set of choices than in player pitch. Do you place a child at pitcher? Do you use a catcher? How do you rotate so every child sees the infield? The preset on this page lets you settle those choices once and then generate fair charts for every game.
The coach pitch preset
The preset uses the nine standard positions and one option:
- Put a player at pitcher, beside the coach (on by default). Leave it ticked if your league places a fielder near the pitcher's spot. Untick it and the chart has eight fielders: catcher, first, second, third, shortstop and three outfielders.
- Count catcher as infield (on by default), which feeds the minimum infield innings rule.
Where a child stands relative to the coach, and what safety rules apply, vary by league. Follow your league's rule book first, then use the chart to decide who stands where.
A sample coach pitch chart
Ten players, four innings, a player at pitcher. One player sits each inning and the position rotation never repeats.
| Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ava | P | 1B | CF | SS |
| Ben | 1B | RF | P | Bench |
| Chloe | LF | P | 1B | CF |
| Dylan | SS | CF | Bench | 2B |
| Ella | C | Bench | RF | 3B |
| Finn | RF | C | 3B | LF |
| Grace | CF | 3B | 2B | 1B |
| Hugo | Bench | 2B | SS | RF |
| Isla | 2B | SS | LF | C |
| Jack | 3B | LF | C | P |
Fair rotation in a short game
Coach pitch games are short, often four to six innings, so each child's turn at the infield is a large share of their game. Use the Minimum infield innings rule to guarantee that every player gets some infield time. With ten players and six infield positions, a four-inning game has 24 infield slots, enough for every child to get two infield innings with slots to spare.
Keep No same position two innings in a row on. Children in this age group often enjoy a change, and a chart that moves everyone around is easier to explain to parents than one where some players stay in the same spot all game.
Tips for coaches
- Lock confident fielders where you need them. If a particular child should stand at first base or catch grounders at shortstop in innings 1 and 2, lock that position.
- Keep a player out of a position. For a child who is nervous about a spot, tick never plays for that position. The chart will always obey it.
- Hand out the dugout card. The card lists positions by inning with large codes, and the batting order is the first column, so the assistant coach can send each child out at the right time.
- Save the game. Saving to the season builds a record of bench innings and positions per child, handy for the end-of-season conversation.
Every rule in LineupFair is a coach setting, not league policy. Leagues differ on minimum playing time, batting orders, pitching and substitutions, so check your league's rules before you rely on a chart. The tool does not track pitch counts. For older groups, see youth baseball position rotation or the main generator.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I put a player at pitcher in coach pitch?
That is a league and coach decision. Some leagues keep one fielder near the pitcher's spot, beside the coach, and others leave the area clear for safety. The preset lets you tick or untick Put a player at pitcher, beside the coach.
What does the pitcher limit do in coach pitch?
If a player stands at pitcher beside the coach, the limit caps how many innings one child can do it. Set it to 0 for no limit. It is not a pitch count.
How many innings should I plan?
Pick the number your league plays, usually four to six. The generator works for 1 to 9 innings, and the fairness rules look at the whole game.
Do I need nine players?
You need at least as many available players as positions: nine with a pitcher, eight without. Below that the tool says how many are missing instead of making a broken chart.
Can I change the batting order each game?
Yes. Reorder with the arrows or drag, and use Rotate for next game to move the top batters to the bottom.
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Last updated · Written by the Rooh Sites team. General coaching information. League rules vary, so check yours.