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Bunts — booklet (5 pages) ← All printables
Bunts

Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 1st

Runner on 1st 0 out Bunt → 1B fields → 2B covers first

A sacrifice bunt with a runner on first and nobody out. The corners crash, the second baseman covers first, and the defense takes the sure out at first base.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Break off the mound and field any bunt up the middle; listen for the catcher's call on where to throw.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Spring out, call who fields it and which base to throw, then get back to cover home.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Crash hard toward the plate to field the bunt, then throw to first for the out.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Cover first base — the first baseman has charged off the bag.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash toward the plate to field anything bunted down the third-base line.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover second base in case there is a play on the lead runner.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Move in behind third base to back up an errant throw.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Drift in toward second base to back up the throw.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Sprint in behind first base to back up the throw for the out.

Key point

When the first baseman crashes, the second baseman MUST cover first — that swap is the whole play.

Drill

Bunt-coverage walk-through: roll bunts to each side and freeze the defense to check that every base is covered before the throw.

Watch for

Nobody covering first because the second baseman forgot to rotate — the out is given away.

Bunts

Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 2nd

Runner on 2nd 0 out Bunt → P/3B fields → out at first, cover third

A sacrifice bunt with a runner on second. Take the sure out at first — but the shortstop must cover third so the runner can't advance there uncontested.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Field any bunt up the middle and listen for the call; the out is usually at first.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Spring out, call the play, then cover home.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Crash to field a bunt on the right side, then throw to first.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Cover first base — the first baseman has charged.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash for a bunt down the third-base line.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover third base — the runner on second will try to take it.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Back up third base behind the play.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up second base.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Back up first base.

Key point

With a runner on second, the shortstop MUST cover third — if you take the out at first, you can't let the runner walk into third.

Drill

Bunt coverage with a runner on second: freeze the defense and confirm third is covered before the throw.

Watch for

Everyone ball-watching while the runner takes third standing up because nobody rotated to the bag.

Bunts

Squeeze Bunt, Runner on 3rd

Runner on 3rd 1 out Bunt → P fields → throw home

A squeeze attempt with the runner breaking from third on the pitch. The corners and pitcher charge; field it clean and the only play may be a quick flip home.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Charge the bunt under control and flip home if you field it cleanly.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Field anything at the plate, give a target, and apply the tag.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Crash hard from first to take away the right side.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Cover first base.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash from third on the line, glove-side to the plate.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover third base behind the runner.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Back up third base.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up second base.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Back up first base.

Key point

On a squeeze, field it cleanly FIRST — a hurried throw past the catcher scores the run anyway.

Drill

Squeeze defense: corners and pitcher charge on the bunt, catcher gives a target at the plate, quick controlled flips home.

Watch for

Fielding and throwing in one panicked motion — secure it, then make an accurate toss to the catcher.

Bunts

Drag Bunt for a Hit, No Runners

Bases empty 0 out Bunt → 1B/P fields → 2B covers first

A speedy batter drags a bunt toward first to beat it out. The first baseman and pitcher converge, one calls it, and the second baseman covers first for a bang-bang play.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Break toward the first-base line; if you field it, the flip goes to first.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Spring out and call who takes it, then cover home.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Charge the drag bunt hard.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Cover first base — the first baseman charged.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash in case the bunt goes the other way.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover second base.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Drift in behind third base.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Drift in toward second base.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Sprint in behind first base to back up the throw.

Key point

On a drag bunt, whoever fields it must know the second baseman is covering first — the flip goes there, on time and on target.

Drill

Roll drag bunts on the first-base side; the pitcher and first baseman call it out and the second baseman beats the runner to the bag.

Watch for

The pitcher and first baseman both fielding it — one calls 'ball, ball, ball,' the other peels off to cover.

Bunts

Sacrifice Bunt, Runners on 1st & 2nd

Runners on 1st & 2nd 0 out Corner fields → out at first; SS covers third

A sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second. The corners crash; the safe play is the out at first while the shortstop covers third so the lead runner can't advance freely.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Field anything up the middle and listen for the catcher's call.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Spring out, call who fields it and where to throw, then cover home.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Crash to field the bunt on the right side, then throw to first.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Cover first base — the first baseman has crashed.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash down the third-base line for the bunt.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover third base — both runners will try to advance, so the bag must be manned.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Back up third base.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up second base.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Back up first base.

Key point

Runners on first and second: take the sure out at first, but the shortstop MUST cover third or the lead runner advances for free.

Drill

Two-on bunt coverage: freeze the defense and check that third is covered and first is manned before any throw.

Watch for

Forcing a play at third you don't have and throwing it away — take the out you're given unless the wheel is on.