When first learning the game of baseball, you usually learn that there are two kinds of bunts: sacrifice bunts, and bunts for a base hit. Really, there happen to be a few more kinds of bunts than only those two. I choose to call these particular bunts specialty bunts, since they're only put into use in specific scenarios if a player believes it is needed. These bunts are harder to implement than the typical bunt, however, if you execute it properly, it could pay off big time. These bunts are frequently used in crucial circumstances during a game and for that reason they ought to be mastered to ensure that if you are actually called upon to perform, you are able to with certainty.
Drag Bunt: This style of bunt is primarily used by left-handed batters mainly because it is a whole lot more effective. However, you can certainly make use of this bunt if you are right-handed, however it will not be quite as effective. The goal of the drag bunt is to get on base, not to sacrifice a runner to the next base. To execute this bunt, you need to wait until the last moment possible to show your intention to bunt and bunt the ball to the same side of the field as you bat (left-handed hitters to first, right-handed batters to the third base side). The trick (especially for left-handed batters) is to start moving towards first base at the same time as you bunt the ball, which is certainly a lot trickier than it sounds! This movement saves valuable time and may make the difference between you being safe and you being called out at first base on a bang-bang play.
Push Bunt: Typically, when a bunt is shown, the second baseman will go and cover first while the pitcher, third baseman, and 1st baseman all attempt to field the ball. The goal of a push bunt would be to get a hit by bunting or "pushing" the ball hard past the charging fielders in the direction of where the second baseman would generally stand (but remember, he's over covering first, not covering his typical location). This leaves no one to field your bunt in time to get you out at first base if you're a half-decent runner. To execute this bunt, you'll need to push the ball as you are bunting it. Generally this is a no-no while bunting because you're supposed to "catch" the baseball with the bat, but in this case you have to put some power on the bunt to push it past the pitchers mound and towards the second base position.
Suicide Squeeze: The goal of the suicide squeeze would be to score a runner from third base, typically executed with one out. With this bunt, you do not care if you're out or safe at first as long as the runner at third base scores. With this play, when the pitcher commits, the runner at third base should break to steal home and then it is the batter's task to get the bunt down and away from home plate so the runner stealing home can not be tagged out. This bunt is a do-or-die. As the batter, in an effort to protect your base runner from almost certain doom, you must get the bunt down, even if this would mean bunting a bad pitch.
Hopefully, by knowing (and practicing) these various types of bunts, you will be able to execute them during a game whenever your team needs you to. Even though bunting is not usually the thrilling part of hitting, it could be if you execute during the right moments. It is all about doing what you are able to help your team win, and bunting is a significant aspect of doing that. Knowing how to bunt well is a enormous advantage that coaches and scouts look for in a player. Be sure that you do not slack off and learn how to bunt well, as it's going to be worthwhile later!
Drag Bunt: This style of bunt is primarily used by left-handed batters mainly because it is a whole lot more effective. However, you can certainly make use of this bunt if you are right-handed, however it will not be quite as effective. The goal of the drag bunt is to get on base, not to sacrifice a runner to the next base. To execute this bunt, you need to wait until the last moment possible to show your intention to bunt and bunt the ball to the same side of the field as you bat (left-handed hitters to first, right-handed batters to the third base side). The trick (especially for left-handed batters) is to start moving towards first base at the same time as you bunt the ball, which is certainly a lot trickier than it sounds! This movement saves valuable time and may make the difference between you being safe and you being called out at first base on a bang-bang play.
Push Bunt: Typically, when a bunt is shown, the second baseman will go and cover first while the pitcher, third baseman, and 1st baseman all attempt to field the ball. The goal of a push bunt would be to get a hit by bunting or "pushing" the ball hard past the charging fielders in the direction of where the second baseman would generally stand (but remember, he's over covering first, not covering his typical location). This leaves no one to field your bunt in time to get you out at first base if you're a half-decent runner. To execute this bunt, you'll need to push the ball as you are bunting it. Generally this is a no-no while bunting because you're supposed to "catch" the baseball with the bat, but in this case you have to put some power on the bunt to push it past the pitchers mound and towards the second base position.
Suicide Squeeze: The goal of the suicide squeeze would be to score a runner from third base, typically executed with one out. With this bunt, you do not care if you're out or safe at first as long as the runner at third base scores. With this play, when the pitcher commits, the runner at third base should break to steal home and then it is the batter's task to get the bunt down and away from home plate so the runner stealing home can not be tagged out. This bunt is a do-or-die. As the batter, in an effort to protect your base runner from almost certain doom, you must get the bunt down, even if this would mean bunting a bad pitch.
Hopefully, by knowing (and practicing) these various types of bunts, you will be able to execute them during a game whenever your team needs you to. Even though bunting is not usually the thrilling part of hitting, it could be if you execute during the right moments. It is all about doing what you are able to help your team win, and bunting is a significant aspect of doing that. Knowing how to bunt well is a enormous advantage that coaches and scouts look for in a player. Be sure that you do not slack off and learn how to bunt well, as it's going to be worthwhile later!
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