| Good Coaches Use A Variety Of Strategies
By: Dick Smith - Former University of St. Francis Softball Coach Originally Published in Fastpitch Delivery
In the early stages of a game, most feel that every effort should be made to get on the board quickly. Good thinking, but how to do it is another matter. We can (hopefully) advance a base runner in the first couple of innings with a bunt and strive for a hit to bring her home. This often pays off and, if it does, a clear advantage follows. The opponent does not like to be behind in a game. AGAIN, HOW to get on the board is a matter of great discussion. Many high school and amateur teams prefer not to bunt a runner along, hoping batters that follow will do the job and bring the runner home. Experienced coaches will, for the most part, bunt a runner along when there are no outs. But do we ever bunt with one out? There are those that do, but it is not considered usually to be a good idea, for now you will probably have two outs. The exception might be where there is a close game and a dominant pitcher in the circle with runs hard to come by, hoping to get the runner home with a hit. So what do we do with a runner on second base and no outs. Depending on the situation, most coaches will bunt the runner along - it being much easier to score from third than from second. There are several ways to score from third base. One coach says there are over 20, but Smitty can't count that high. Suffice it to say there are many. Once again, there are coaches that will not bunt in this situation, relying on their hitters to do the job. If the pitcher is weak, this might be good strategy, but if not and the score is close, then it might be wise to bunt . RAILBIRDS AND "knowledgable" parents and fans, will, of course have their opinions. If there is a bunt attempt and it goes wrong, there often is quiet (sometimes loud) grumbling. If it is successful, little is said, except by those in favor of the bunt in the first place. How about the squeeze play from third base using a bunt? This is a kettle of different fishes. Much depends on the ability of the pitcher, especially if she can throw a riser. Then there is the speed of the runner to consider, along with how alert the defense is and where they are playing. If the corners are way up, then it might be wise to try to drive a hard ground ball through the infield. If not, the options are many. A fake bunt might draw the corners in and make it easier to get a grounder past them. Is your batter a talented bunter? If not, the decision is easy unless the coach is a real gambler. Has the batter not been hitting well of late? If so, a bunt might be in order. There are two types of squeeze bunts, the outright suicide and the safety squeeze. The safety is not wise with a heads-up team facing the batter, as any bunt will probably not be successful. Again, the position of the corners is of major concern. There are two types of squeeze bunts, the outright suicide and the safety squeeze. The safety is not wise with a heads-up team facing the batter, as any bunt will probably not be successful. Again, the position of the corners is of major concern. IF THERE IS a play at the plate, whether successful or not, the first base coach might want to automatically send the batter running to second. For even if there is an out at the plate, the catcher will have a difficult time getting to her feet to throw to second. If this is successful, you will have a runner in scoring position. Batters should always be aware of the position of the third and first base defenders. The situation where they are not alert or are back toward the base might be good time for a drag bunt, especially if the batter is a good bunter and/or is having an otherwise tough day at the plate. A successful bunt can often bring a batter out of a prolonged slump. THE HIT-AND-RUN with a runner on first is another offensive strategy. It can be quite successful in baseball, but because of the distances in softball - both pitching and the bases - it does not offer as much of an opportunity. Coaches might do well to watch the shortstop. If she tends to pull early expecting a steal, an opportunity might be present for this strategy. Also, with a slow runner on first, it might present another situation to advance the runner. Another thought is to use the steal after a failed sacrifice attempt. Getting the runner to second base is paramount. Again, much depends on the ability of the hitter, the speed of the runner and the positioning of the player covering second base. STEALING OF THIRD base is difficult at higher levels of softball because shortstops are very much aware of the possibility. They sometimes cheat toward third, but always break for the base after a pitch, very much on the alert for the steal. A double steal is a great option, especially if there has been a failed attempt at a sacrifice bunt. It's sometimes good to fake a bunt to draw the shortstop out of position. There are great offensive options. Thinking coaches will use all of them.
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Good Coaches Use A Variety Of Strategies
