Baseball Lineup Card: Free Printable Template for Game Day
A clean, standard-format lineup card you can print and hand to the umpire. Includes batting order, positions, jersey numbers, and substitution tracking for both home and visitor.
A baseball lineup card is the official document every coach needs before game time. It lists your batting order, starting positions, and available substitutes. You hand two copies to the umpire at the plate meeting, and from that point on, your batting order is locked in for the game.
This free printable baseball lineup card template includes both home and visitor versions with space for 9 batters, jersey numbers, positions, and a substitution section. It follows the standard format that umpires expect at every level from Little League through high school.
Need something more detailed for game planning? Our baseball lineup template covers defensive alignment by inning, pitching rotation, and playing time tracking. For in-game stat tracking, pair this card with our baseball scorebook. And if you're getting your team ready for the season, check out our custom baseball jerseys and baseball uniforms.
What This Template Includes
Everything the umpire needs, laid out in the standard format.
Starting Lineup
- •Batting order slots 1 through 9
- •Player name column
- •Jersey number column
- •Defensive position column
Substitutes and Game Info
- •Substitute player section (5 slots)
- •Team name, date, opponent fields
- •Home / Visitor designation
- •Coach signature line
Lineup Card Template Preview
Two cards per page: one for home, one for visitor.
| Order | Player Name | # | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 |
SUBSTITUTES
| Order | Player Name | # | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 |
SUBSTITUTES
How to Use This Lineup Card
Fill it out before the game, hand it to the ump, and you're set.
Write in your starters
List players in batting order from 1 to 9. Write their full name (first and last), jersey number, and starting defensive position using standard abbreviations: P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF.
List your available substitutes
Fill in the substitutes section with bench players who may enter the game. Include their name, number, and the position(s) they can play. This helps the umpire verify substitutions quickly.
Make two copies
Print the template and fill it out, then make a copy. You'll hand one to the umpire and one to the opposing coach during the plate meeting. Keep your own copy in the dugout for reference.
Present at the plate meeting
Meet the umpire and opposing coach at home plate 5-10 minutes before game time. Exchange lineup cards, review ground rules, and you're ready to play. Once accepted, the batting order is official.
When to Use a Lineup Card
Game day situations where you need one.
Every organized game. Any game with umpires will require a lineup card. Little League, travel ball, high school, and college all mandate them. Have a stack of blank templates in your coaching bag so you never show up without one.
Tournament play. Tournaments often require lineup cards submitted to the tournament director in addition to the umpire. Print extra copies. Some tournaments also require cards to be submitted early so they can be posted for opposing teams.
Pre-game planning. Even before filling out the official card, use it as a planning tool. Write out your lineup at home the night before, think through matchups, and decide your substitution plan. Then just copy it onto a clean card on game day.
Continuous batting order (youth). Many youth leagues use a continuous batting order where every player bats. In that case, you'll list all players on the card. The defensive lineup still changes by inning, but the batting order includes everyone on the roster.
Tips for Coaches
Get the most out of your lineup card.
Write clearly
The umpire needs to read your lineup card throughout the game. Use block letters, not cursive. A lineup card that's hard to read leads to confusion when subs come in or batting order questions arise.
Plan substitutions in advance
Use your lineup template to plan who's going in and when. Then the lineup card becomes a quick reference for the umpire, and you already know your moves ahead of time.
Double-check jersey numbers
Umpires use jersey numbers to verify the right player is batting. If a number on the card doesn't match the player's jersey, it creates problems. Confirm numbers before you submit the card.
Keep a blank card for changes
Bring extra blank lineup cards. If rain delays, injuries, or late arrivals force lineup changes before the plate meeting, having a clean card beats crossing things out on the original.
Use the DH rule correctly
If your league allows a designated hitter, write "DH" in the position column for that batter and note which defensive player they're hitting for. In high school (NFHS rules), the DH can only hit for the pitcher. College and MLB rules differ.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What goes on a baseball lineup card?
A baseball lineup card lists the batting order (1-9), each player's full name, jersey number, and defensive position. It also includes space for substitutes and their positions. In most leagues, coaches submit two copies of the lineup card to the umpire before the game — one for the umpire and one for the opposing coach.
When do you turn in a lineup card in baseball?
Lineup cards are exchanged at the pre-game meeting with the umpire, typically about 5-10 minutes before the first pitch. Both coaches meet at home plate, present their lineup cards, and review any ground rules. Once the umpire accepts the lineup cards, the batting order is official and can only be changed through legal substitutions.
Can you change a lineup card after turning it in?
You can't change the batting order once it's been accepted by the umpire, but you can make substitutions during the game. A substitute must bat in the same spot in the batting order as the player they replace. Pitching changes are also recorded on the lineup card. If you discover a mistake before the game starts, most umpires will let you correct it.
Do youth baseball leagues require lineup cards?
Most organized youth leagues require lineup cards, though enforcement varies. Little League, travel ball, and high school all require them. Even if your rec league is informal about it, having a lineup card keeps your batting order straight and avoids confusion with the umpire about who's batting where.
What is the difference between a lineup card and a lineup template?
A lineup card is the official document you hand to the umpire showing batting order and positions. A lineup template is a broader planning tool that helps coaches map out their entire game plan, including defensive positioning by inning, pitching rotation, and playing time. Use the template for planning, then fill out the card for the umpire.
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