Bunt coverage differences

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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Why do so many coaches refuse to let the pitcher be a fielder? In most cases they are good athletes quite capable of fielding bunts, pop ups and ground balls. It bothers me in both softball and baseball that pitchers are expected to stand back or get out of the way instead of being allowed to help. A pitcher's momentum is taking them towards the plate any way. I'm not saying that 3B shouldn't be the primary bunt fielder and the C shouldn't be fielding a ball right in front of the plate. But the P is a 5th IF and I find it silly that teams prefer to play with 4.

IME, although they may field well, overhand throwing by many college-level pitch and sit pitchers (i.e., no secondary position) can be a real adventure and dictates coverage options.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Sorry...

Team looked great, we could not hit other P. I am pretty sure she has throwing 120 with movement.

They started bunting and bunting some more, with 2 strikes they were bunting. :)
 
Jul 17, 2012
1,091
38
A well executed bunt up the 1B line and a girl with wheels in the box is a tough play for an average fielding pitcher. My pitchers are encouraged to get what they can with confidence even outside of the short game..... but no glove flails at balls that are routine plays for MI's. Nothing worse than a pitcher tipping a weak line drive causing it to go from a routine play for 4 or 6 to an infield 1B. We practice it often so they have a sense of what is theirs, and what is not.
 
Sep 23, 2014
46
0
Why do so many coaches refuse to let the pitcher be a fielder? In most cases they are good athletes quite capable of fielding bunts, pop ups and ground balls. It bothers me in both softball and baseball that pitchers are expected to stand back or get out of the way instead of being allowed to help. A pitcher's momentum is taking them towards the plate any way. I'm not saying that 3B shouldn't be the primary bunt fielder and the C shouldn't be fielding a ball right in front of the plate. But the P is a 5th IF and I find it silly that teams prefer to play with 4.

Pitcher is an important fielder and a deterrent for a long bunt or a push bunt and because she's not charging hard, she has the ability to move laterally especially with 4 covering 1st. Reminds me to add "push bunt" to our practice plan at some point.
 

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