Bunting

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Bunting in baseball is a batting technique that can help win ball games. There are several different techniques and opinions on how and when to use them. Here we'll list two basic bunting methods, but we'll leave the "when" to the coach's discretion.

Square off

Many coaches, especially in youth leagues, only consider this technique. The idea is to square off to the pitcher before the ball is thrown. This "telegraphs" the batter's intention to the defense, and sometimes that's exactly why it works. In many bunting situations you want the other team to know it's coming. Setting up early for the bunt also makes it easier to see the pitch.
Start in your normal batting stance. When the pitcher winds up, bring your back foot forward as you turn your bellybutton toward the pitcher (make sure your stance is far enough back from the plate to allow this). Keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Know the situation and whether you want to bunt toward third or first. Pull back quickly if it's not a good pitch to bunt. Occasionally you may have to intentionally foul it off if one of your runners would easily be thrown out. Always keep your top hand higher than your bottom hand.

Bunt for hit

When you are bunting for a hit it's best not to telegraph your intent. With this "pivot" method of bunting you can have the advantage of surprise and the advantage of being in a better position to run to first, and still have the ability to place the bunt where it will give you the best advantage of safely reaching first.
Start in your normal batting stance. Stay on the balls of your feet throughout so you'll be balanced and relaxed to hit the ball, and ready to quickly dart to first. Remember to keep your fingers out of the way with your thumb on top of the bat for control. You CATCH the ball with your bat. That is, your top hand gives a little on contact.

Things to remember when bunting:

Try to stay toward the front of the batter's box

Keep your knees bent

Keep your elbows away from your body

Slide your top hand to the center of the bat with your fingers off it's face, thumb on top

Always keep the barrel of the bat higher than the knob of the bat

Catch the pitch with your bat and direct your bunt with the bat angle

Definitions:

Drag Bunt - bunting for a hit you delay showing your intention and bunt to the same side you bat, i.e., right-handed batter to third, left-handed batter to first.

Push Bunt - bunting for a hit you delay showing your intention and bunt to the opposite side you bat, i.e., right-handed batter to first, left-handed batter to third.

Sacrifice Bunt - bunting when you expect to get out while you advance runners. Usually if the runner is on first, bunt to first; if runners are on second, bunt toward third.

Suicide Bunt (or squeeze) - bunting to score a runner from third. Usually done with 1 out. The runner on third should break to steal home as soon as the pitcher commits. Don't telegraph your intention or the pitcher will probably pitch out foiling the play. If the squeeze play is on, you must get the ball on the ground and away from the plate.

Bunting Drills: Certainly it's good to simply practice bunting. Practice all types of bunting. Although many bunting drills are done with a soft toss, remember to practice at full speed too. The drills below can be practiced individually or in teams.

~ Down the corners ~

Place two bats parallel to each other 10 to 20 feet down the line toward third, and 3 to 4 feet apart. Score one point for every bunt that lands between the bats. Then do the same thing down the first base side.

~ Bunting Pepper ~

Have 2 or 3 teammates form an arc about 20 feet away from you as you stand squared in a bunt position. Have them take quick successive turns tossing you pitches that you bunt. Your job is to bunt each throw to a player that didn't throw it.

~ Target practice ~

This one is similar to the first except that it uses a bucket on it's side with the opening facing the batter. Every bunt that goes in the bucket scores a point. The bucket should be moved at various points in an arc about 20 feet from the batter.

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Send mail to martyATlearningbaseball.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1999-2005 LearningBaseball.com Last modified: December 05, 2002

Send mail to martyATlearningbaseball.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1999-2005 LearningBaseball.com
Last modified: December 05, 2002