Coach, the art of bunting can help win games. It's been said that the long ball puts bums in the seats, but a well executed sacrifice bunt or a bunt for a base hit can really help your team be successful. Most often the bunted ball is fielded by the pitcher or catcher, so controlled bunting is key. Not only can it get your offence going, it puts pressure on the defence to field well and make accurate throws.
Bunting is a skill that should be worked on at EVERY BATTING PRACTICE. Normally 3 to 5 bunts before the player 'swings away' and they should be laid down to the left, right and straight ahead or 'push' or 'drag'.
The basic stance is achieved by pivoting on the back foot, while bringing the bat down and in front of the player. The bat should be held in a looser grip i.e. don't choke the bat; but a firmer grip leads to a harder hit. Remember the old adage about an 'any action will result in an equal and opposite reaction'. The result? A fast ball will come off the bat harder than a change-up.
When in the bunting stance, the bat should be held at an angle of about 45 degrees. Ensure the top hand does NOT wrap around the barrel. Instead turn the hand over such that the bat rests on top of the fist, supported by the thumb. This way a miss hit will not break fingers.
The elbows should be bent, to act as a shock absorber. The knees should also remain bent. If the pitch is low, keep the bat in position and bend the knees to get lower. NEVER STAB AT A BALL OR LOWER THE BAT HEAD TO MAKE CONTACT.
Many players hold their bat in a horizontal position. It is simply less effective because pop-ups and foul tips are more likely to occur.
As with anything else, there are exceptions. Should a coach request a bunt to move a runner, the player may have no option but to drop the bat head to make contact with a low and away pitch, but the practice should be avoided at all cost.
As with anything else, there are exceptions. Should a coach request a bunt to move a runner, the player may have no option but to drop the bat head to make contact with a low and away pitch, but the practice should be avoided at all cost.
Bunting Drills
Although Bunting Drills should be performed as part of Batting Practice, some time should be put aside for Bunting specifically. It could be the difference between a base hit or an out for a weaker hitter - remember your batting order.
1) Drop in the bucket. Draw 3, 3 ft. circles in the dirt approx. 10 ft. from the batter. These should be located along ( or the equivalent to) the baseline and one directly in front. If possible, place a bucket in the middle of each ring.
Start with soft toss and progress to normal pitching.
Often during batting practice, 3 hoops can be placed as targets, 5 bunts before 'swing away'.
2) Drag / Push Bunt. This is used to bunt for a base hit, when the 1st baseman is playing back. Soft toss from 30 ft. away then pitch from 60 ft. In this case the batter wants to run with contact, such that the ball follows the player along the 1st baseline. The reverse would occur if the 3rd baseman is back. Both should be practiced. This is incredibly effective when properly executed and nothing lifts a team like a well executed 'Suicide Squeeze'. (N.B. This occurs when, with a runner on 3rd, the batter bunts toward 3rd base such that the base runner sprints home before the ball is fielded and thrown home to tag the runner out. If this play is best executed with runners on 2nd & 3rd with less than 2 out.)
Be creative. Use coloured hoops. Have a coach call out the colour. ( Hang the hoops in the batting cage to work on directional hitting too.)
Next: Defensive Plays and Drills
Although Bunting Drills should be performed as part of Batting Practice, some time should be put aside for Bunting specifically. It could be the difference between a base hit or an out for a weaker hitter - remember your batting order.
1) Drop in the bucket. Draw 3, 3 ft. circles in the dirt approx. 10 ft. from the batter. These should be located along ( or the equivalent to) the baseline and one directly in front. If possible, place a bucket in the middle of each ring.
Start with soft toss and progress to normal pitching.
Often during batting practice, 3 hoops can be placed as targets, 5 bunts before 'swing away'.
2) Drag / Push Bunt. This is used to bunt for a base hit, when the 1st baseman is playing back. Soft toss from 30 ft. away then pitch from 60 ft. In this case the batter wants to run with contact, such that the ball follows the player along the 1st baseline. The reverse would occur if the 3rd baseman is back. Both should be practiced. This is incredibly effective when properly executed and nothing lifts a team like a well executed 'Suicide Squeeze'. (N.B. This occurs when, with a runner on 3rd, the batter bunts toward 3rd base such that the base runner sprints home before the ball is fielded and thrown home to tag the runner out. If this play is best executed with runners on 2nd & 3rd with less than 2 out.)
Be creative. Use coloured hoops. Have a coach call out the colour. ( Hang the hoops in the batting cage to work on directional hitting too.)
Next: Defensive Plays and Drills
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