I just don't get the bunting obsession

I'm with you for the most part. As a coach at the 18 Gold travel level the bunt is rarely used. It's kind of a no-no at the showcase level as college coaches want to see the girls hit. However, in a tournament I'll bunt in the first inning to advance the runner; even squeeze to get a lead.

If your daughter's coach is bunting the four hitter that is, unfortunately, sending the wrong signal to her...that she is incapable of driving in the runner by hitting away. This can really be a confidence killer for the entire team!

Bunting certainly has its place in a fast, pitching dominant game like fastpitch. I get frustrated when my kids, even the 18 year olds, can't lay down a bunt when needed because they don't work on it. So learning how to bunt is a great skill all players should master.

Invariably all players must develop into hitters more than bunters. At the junior high level no harm, no foul I guess. I'd be a lot more mystified if a 12u or 14u travel team coach employed the same philosophy.

Hang in there!

College coaches expect you to be able to bunt. If you can't you won't play at that level. Bustos was expected to bunt, she has a funny story about bunting if you ever get to talk to her. Agree with the 18U showcase comment. They expect you to be able to bunt, so they don't want to see it. They could care less about who wins, it's about showcasing your talent. Some seem to forget the bases are 60 feet not 90 in softball. It is more of a speed game and why you see so many slappers at the next level.

I'm a big fan of the bunt the first time through with my fastest athletes. I have/had 3-4 girls at the top of my line that can run, bunt and hit. It sets the tone for my offense when teams over shift etc. My #1 hitter has almost hit the 3rd baseman (with a shot) charging as she swings away. It makes coaches and players think before they charge, and when your thinking and not reacting, this causes problems.

If bunting can set up 2nd and 3rd with no outs...I'll take that every inning. My #3 hitter up...swing it!!

If 2nd and 3rd no outs with a girl struggling making contact and she could put a bunt down...why not? If girl at 3rd is slow...swing the bat...girl at 3rd with decent speed, bunt.

Yep had a slow to the ball catcher and pitcher, All-star teem bunted the first three players , bases loaded and guess what BAMB! game over

I would like to see slapping treated the same as a bunt on the third strike, it is too easy to just pop the bat out and keep fouling the ball off.

doublenickel said:

I would like to see slapping treated the same as a bunt on the third strike, it is too easy to just pop the bat out and keep fouling the ball off.

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I agree! Good slappers rarely strike out because they can take 1/2 swings and just make contact. We have a slapper on our team and it is not uncommon for her to have 8-10 pitch at bats vs. good pitchers.

JAD said:

I agree! Good slappers rarely strike out because they can take 1/2 swings and just make contact. We have a slapper on our team and it is not uncommon for her to have 8-10 pitch at bats vs. good pitchers.

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That's exactly why they are so valuable! Do you have any idea how many TB coaches would kill for a good slapper in their lineup?

I didn't read through alll 6 pages of posts, but is the coach possibly just trying to teach them to bunt? Certainly most of the situations you described aren't good times to bunt ...

gatorcoach said:

You must show you can get a bunt down before the pull back will work. We would not charge a show/pul back if the batter has not shown she can bunt

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Interesting to wait and see first. Do you mean you aren't playing the bunt at all until you see a batter bunt successfully? If a batter is quick enough to sell the bunt and can handle the bat quickly enough to pull back and swing hard, wouldn't that still catch you? To pull back and swing, I like a hitter that is able (that includes quick enough with the bat and the brain) to pull back late enough to "force" the defense into motion. I also think you pick your time carefully, because you probably get just one chance with it in a game. Maybe even one pitch.

I can't remember last time I saw a team (mine or another) pull back and hit away, and feel like it can be a great strategy with the right hitter. Have been working with DD to become proficient at pulling back after defense has started movement, and unveiled it at practice last night during bunt drills without warning the team. She managed a routine grounder to third, but 3b was charging and came unglued when she saw DD pull back and swing. Ball easily passed her and DD would have ended up at second easily (depending, in a game, on runners, is LF charging in also, etc.).

In a game, she would fake one bunt to check defensive movement and also to sell the bunt. If no movement I would likely go with a bunt, probably a push down 1st base line to try and to coax a hit while still moving runner(s). DD handles the bat well, gets bunts down almost without fail. I don't usually like to bunt with her, though because she drives the ball well... which is also why I think she's the perfect type of hitter to pull off this strategy. 12u by the way.

CentralHBC said:

Ultimately, I think that more teams would benefit from working on situational hitting and bunting, instead of just learning how to hit, or how to bunt. Developing an offense is more about timely execution, than it is about mechanics. I would love to see teams work on hitting a GB to 2B with a runner at 3B instead of trying to bunt them home, or laying down a drag bunt against the right defense in situations to start innings. Again, all of this is just personal preference, but that's why forums exist!

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Good stuff, here. Thanks.