Knowing when to bunt the baseball…and when NOT to

Knowing when to bunt the baseball

The bunt can be a great weapon. But how do you know when to bunt the baseball? As coaches and players we have to look at it as a strategic decision of give and take, and risk vs. reward.


 

I’ve witnessed teams at the youth levels, all the way up to the collegiate levels over-utilize the bunt. When doing so, they are effectively taking the bat out of their hitters’ hands, and taking away the possibility of a big hit at times when it is not necessary.

On the other hand, I’ve also seen teams that hardly ever use the bunt. A team without the bunt in their offensive arsenal is limited in the number of ways that they can create, move and score baserunners. They get into the late innings in a close ballgame and have to rely solely on big hits to score the tying or winning runs.

 


If we’re going to talk about when to bunt, then we must first understand the different types of bunts and what we are trying to accomplish with each of them.

  1. Sacrifice bunt
  2. Bunt for a hit/Drag bunt
  3. Squeeze bunt




 

Sacrifice Bunt

 

What is it?

The sacrifice is just what the name implies; the hitter is sacrificing themselves, or giving up the out, to move the baserunner to the next base. A sacrifice bunt can be used to move a single baserunner from first base to second base or second base to third base or moving two runners up from first and second to second and third base.

 

Common Situations:

Sacrifices are usually only called for with nobody out and a runner on first, a runner on second, or runners on first and second.

On rare occasions, you’ll see a sacrifice bunt with 1 out, to move the runner from first to second. This usually only happens in Major League Baseball in a National League game, when a pitcher is batting who is a very bad hitter.

Most often, sacrifices will be called late in the game, when there is a close score or tie score. The baserunner or runners being bunted over are usually the tying and/or winning run for the team that is bunting.

 

Sacrifice bunting early in the game….why?

I’ve always heard and subscribed to the mantra that you play for big innings early in the game, and play small ball in the later innings. This is because of that idea of give and take. When you call for a sacrifice bunt, you’re trading in your chances for a big multi-run inning, and playing for one or two runs. Why give up your chances of putting up a big inning early in the game?

 

Bunt for a Hit/Drag Bunt

 

What is it?

The bunt for a hit is a surprise play by the offense. When we do it, we are trying to catch the defense off guard or out of position.

As opposed to the sacrifice bunt where the hitter is giving himself up, the hitter who bunts for a hit or drag bunts is trying to use the bunt as a way to reach base.

It is also a great way for a hitter who is struggling at the plate to contribute. If a player is in a hitting slump, a base hit bunt may be just what the doctor ordered.

 

Common Situations:

A bunt for a hit may happen at any time throughout the game. Primarily it will occur with 0 or 1 out. This is because if the hitter reaches first with 0 or 1 out, there are still multiple opportunities to move him into scoring position and knock him in. If he reaches first base with 2 outs, then it will either take an extra base hit or multiple hits to score him.

You can also call for a bunt for a hit in typical sacrifice bunt situations. A common strategy in sacrifice situations is to call for a bunt for a hit first, and if the hitter takes a strike or bunts it foul, you would then switch the call to a sacrifice bunt.

 

Here are a few great opportunities to reach on a bunt for a hit:

  • If the third baseman is playing back deep, is not great fielder, or is slow. The batter should try to place the bunt right down the 3rd base line. He wants to put the ball so close to the line that it will either be a hit or a foul ball.
  • If the third baseman is playing unusually far off of the 3rd base line. Again the idea here is to get it down the third base line where the play will either result in a base hit or foul ball. Recently Major League players have been using it in this fashion, as a way to beat the defensive shifts that teams are imposing against certain hitters.
    • If the pitcher routinely falls off of the mound toward 3rd base after a pitch (usually a left-handed pitcher). The batter will be trying to place the ball just past the first base side of the pitcher’s mound. This will place the ball in a spot that is almost equidistant between the second baseman, first baseman and pitcher. If placed correctly, it will be an extremely difficult play for the defense to get an out.

 

Following the Unwritten Rules

You may or may not be a subscriber to baseball’s unwritten rules, but there are a couple those unwritten rules that pertain to bunting for a hit. One of those rules is that if a pitcher has a no hitter or perfect game running into the last couple innings, you should not attempt to break it up with a bunt for a hit. Another unwritten rule is that if your team is leading by a significant amount late in the game, you should not attempt to bunt for a hit.
 
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Squeeze Bunt

 

What is it?

A squeeze bunt is when a hitter is trying to drive a runner in from 3rd base with a bunt. There are two types of squeeze bunts:

    1. Suicide Squeeze – Runner on 3rd base breaks for home as the pitcher delivers the pitch.
    2. Safety Squeeze – Runner at 3rd base waits for the ball to be bunted before breaking for home.

 

Common Situations:

Squeezes will happen most frequently with 1 out. With 0 outs and a runner at 3rd base, a team has plenty of opportunity left to drive the run in without taking the risk of a squeeze. With 2 outs, the hitter would need to reach first base safely in order for the run to score. So the hitter would have to treat the squeeze as a bunt for a hit.

Squeezes can happen at any time throughout the game, but they are most commonly called late in the game during close ballgames. A coach may use the squeeze to drive the tying or winning run in, or to add an insurance run (extra run while already leading) heading into the final innings.

Is it worth the risk?

The squeeze bunt, especially the suicide squeeze, is a very risky play. A lot has to go right for the play to work for the offense. The hitter must make contact with the pitch and bunt the ball on the ground. If he misses the pitch or pops it up, your runner on 3rd base will be caught in no man’s land halfway to home plate.

 

To determine if the risk is worth taking, you must consider a few things:

  • How good is the hitter at bunting? Hopefully if you plan on calling a squeeze play in a game you are working on it in practice. Pay attention and learn your team. Who can you rely on to get the job done in a high pressure situation like a squeeze play?
  • Has the hitter been hitting the ball well lately? If the hitter at the plate has been tearing the cover off the ball, it may not be worth the risk to run a squeeze. Let him swing away and drive the run in with his bat. On the other hand, if a hitter has been struggling badly at the plate, the squeeze can be a great way to make a big contribution to the team and get an RBI in the process.
  • Has the pitcher had good control or been wild? If a pitcher is wild, it’s best to not run a squeeze play. He may throw a pitch out of the strike zone that is difficult for the hitter to make contact with and bunt on the ground. A wild pitcher also has a much greater chance of throwing a wild pitch, which would allow your runner at 3rd base to score without taking the risk on a squeeze.
  • Are we likely to score the runner from 3rd without the squeeze play? If your chances are high to score the baserunner at 3rd base any other way than the squeeze, it’s best not to risk running him into an out on a busted squeeze play. If you have 0 outs, or have hot hitters coming up in your lineup, it may be the smart play to leave that runner at 3rd base and let your bats drive him in.

 

 


Have questions about specific situations and using the bunt? Want to know if your team is utilizing the bunt properly? Drop a comment below and we’d be happy to help!


 

Comments

  1. Jeremy says:

    Interesting post you provided. I actually never really thought about when it’s a good time to bunt or not. I didn’t know that it’s a better time to bunt later in the game to tie or take the lead and to avoid it early on in the game. Do you not think it’s good to do it at the beginning to start to boost morale? Not that I’m disagreeing with you, just curious on what your opinion is. Thanks for the interesting information!

    1. Ryan Basham says:

      Thanks for the comment Jeremy. Every game and team is different. There may be some certain situations early in the game that a bunt would be good for swinging the momentum of the game your way. Specifically if you’re facing a pitcher that has been a difficult for your hitters in the past. Sometimes you have to do whatever you can to scratch across a run against a dominant pitcher.

  2. Wayne says:

    Hello Ryan,

    Great article. Thank you for posting it. You said, “You can also call for a bunt for a hit in typical sacrifice bunt situations. A common strategy in sacrifice situations is to call for a bunt for a hit first, and if the hitter takes a strike or bunts it foul, you would then switch the call to a sacrifice bunt.”

    Can you elaborate on the difference between bunting for a hit vs. the sacrifice bunt? What is the difference in what the batter would be doing when he is attempting to bunt for a hit vs. bunting as a sacrifice? Wouldn’t he lay down the bunt in the same places? Aren’t you always trying to get a hit even when you’re sacrificing? Thanks in advance!

    1. Ryan Basham says:

      Hi Wayne, thanks for the great question! There are differences in both intent and execution of a “bunt for a hit” and a “sacrifice bunt.” While it would be nice to reach base with a sacrifice bunt, that is not our main concern. The reason it is called a sacrifice is because we are sacrificing our self as an out to move the other baserunners out. With a bunt for a hit the hitter’s main concern is reaching base. Here are the differences between the two, and why they are not one in the same.

      Sacrifice bunt
      – Main goal is moving the baserunner/runners to the next base
      – Hitter will square or show bunt early to assure that they get the bunt down
      – The hitter will bunt to either side of the infield, depending on where the baserunners are and how the defense is covering the play
      – Hitter is not concerned with being “perfect” with their bunt placement, but just need it in an area where the defense can’t throw out lead runner or runners
      – Hitter will ensure the bunt gets down before making move toward first base

      Bunt for a hit
      – Main goal is for the hitter to reach first base
      – Hitter will show the bunt later, trying to surprise the fielders
      – Hitter will either bunt directly down the 3rd base line, or in the “Bermuda Triangle” between pitcher 2B and 1B, will not bunt directly down 1B line because first baseman can pick it up and easily tag the hitter
      – Hitter will attempt to place their bunt perfectly in an area where the defense has no play, i.e. right on the 3rd base line. If the ball goes foul it is ok because the hitter is still alive.
      – Hitter may simultaneously make a move toward first base as they are bunting. Right handed hitters often drop their right foot back to bunt for a hit to put their body in a better position to take off toward 1B.

      Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other quetions.

      1. Aaron Tifft says:

        9 inning A lead off double to start the inning. Your number 4 hitter is coming up. The score is 3-2. Is this a scenario to do a sacrifice with your 4 hitter to get a guy to 3rd with just one out to try and tie the game? Are there odds that support this decision to sacrifice or not

        1. Ryan Basham says:

          Great question! I’m going to lean toward letting the 4 hole hitter swing away. However, I’d say there are other questions that should factor into the decision. How has your 4 hitter been swinging it lately? Has he been working on bunting or even ever bunted in a game situation? Do you think your 5 hole hitter can drive him in from 3rd against the pitcher that is currently in the game? Ultimately your clean up hitter is in that spot for a reason, and usually that is not because of their bunting skills! So for me, I feel like letting him swing gives you a chance not only to move the runner over, but to potentially drive them in, while simultaneously putting the winning run on base. Hope this helps!

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