Bunt Defense

By: Kenny Thomas and DJ King

Originally Published in: Baseball - Steps to Success

Provided by: Human Kinetics

Defending the bunt can make or break a team defensively. Teams that can control the baseball and get an out will have much more success than those that are constantly out of position and do not control the baseball. Bunting is usually used in sacrifice situations when an offense is willing to give up an out to advance the base runner or base runners. These situations typically occur late in a game with a runner on first or second, or runners on first and second with zero outs. By sacrificing a runner into scoring position, the offense assumes that a base hit will then score that runner. By sacrificing a runner from second to third, the offense can then score in various ways other than a base hit, such as a sacrifice fly. In addition, some hitters might use a bunt as a way to get on base outside of these typical sacrifice situations.

Here we discuss defending the bunt with runners on first (figure 9.1), defending the bunt with runners on first and second (figure 9.2) and defending against a bunt for a hit (figure 9.3).

Figure 9.1 RUNNER ON FIRST

1. The first baseman holds the runner. As the pitch is delivered and the bunt is laid down, the first baseman reads the ball. Anything past the range of the pitcher and within a small vicinity to the right, he fields the ball; otherwise, he returns to the bag.
2. In this bunt situation, the second baseman should move away from double-play depth and toward first base. He is responsible for the triangle communication, attacking anything past the pitcher and directing the first baseman.
3. The shortstop stays in double-play depth and covers second base when the bunt is put in play.
4. The third baseman starts in on the grass. He is responsible for the entire third-base side.
5. The pitcher is responsible for the middle of the field and the first-base side.
6. The catcher is responsible for anything that stops close to home plate.
7. If the third baseman fields the ball, the pitcher should sprint to cover third. The catcher should stay to cover home plate in this situation, and if he can't tell for sure if the lead runner can be tagged out at second he calls out for a throw to first. If anyone else fields the ball, the third baseman should get back to cover the bag.
8. The outfielders back up their assigned bases, as was dis-cussed in figure 8.16 in step 8.

MISSTEP

If the ball is bunted in the triangle between the pitcher, first baseman, and second baseman, communication is often the misstep that leads to issues.

CORRECTION

The second baseman can solve the communication issue if his first priority is to get the ball bunted past the pitcher. If the first baseman understands this and does not break to get a ball in the triangle but instead covers first, most issues will be solved.

Figure 9.2 RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND

1. In a bunt situation with runners on first and second and no outs, the first baseman plays in front of the runner and charges the bunt. If the ball is bunted on the third-base side, the first baseman gets back to cover the base.
2. The second baseman moves toward first base and covers first if the first baseman does not get back to the bag.
3. The shortstop covers second base.
4. The third baseman starts in front of the third-base bag. He reads the bunt and fields anything toward the line or past the pitcher. If the pitcher can field the ball, the third baseman covers the third-base bag.
5. The pitcher is responsible for whatever he can get on the third-base side.
6. The catcher gets anything he can in front of the plate. He is also responsible for making the call on where the ball should be thrown.

MISSTEP

A common misstep is a bad read by the third baseman on a ball that the pitcher cannot field. He may also charge too soon with a left-handed pitcher on the mound.

CORRECTION

If the third baseman has any doubt about whether the pitcher can field the ball, he should charge. Remember the importance of getting an out. A left-handed pitcher typically finishes the pitch by falling toward the third-base side, so he can cover more area and does not have to spin to throw to third.

Figure 9.3 BUNT FOR A HIT

1. Each defensive player should be aware of hitters who may attempt to bunt for a hit. Bunting for a hit is often used by players with speed or those who are not accomplished hitters.
2. A push bunt is intended to be placed in the triangle area on the first-base side (figure 9.3a). It is commonly tried with a fast hitter when the second baseman is pulled up to the middle and you have a left-handed pitcher on the mound.
3. The second baseman should charge toward home as soon as he sees the hitter move his hands to bunt.
4. After the ball is bunted, the same triangle communication should take place; the second baseman directs traffic.
5. The first baseman moves to cover first base and waits to take the throw to get the runner out.
6. For a drag bunt on the third-base side (figure 9.3b), the third base-man is usually in a do-or-die situation with his field and throw to first. This is because the drag bunt is usually employed when the third baseman is playing deep. So, if you know a hitter is an excellent bunter and is very fast, it may be a good idea to have the third baseman move closer to his standard position.
7. The first baseman moves to cover first and waits for the throw to get the runner out.

MISSTEP

In do-or-die situations for the third baseman, overthrows are common.

CORRECTION

The second baseman and right fielder should move behind the first baseman to back up on a potential overthrow.