Yes, yes, this is an old and overly-discussed topic, but....
Scenario: Runner at 1B with batter bunting.
What I've taught: Corners and pitcher charge bunt. Short-stop covers 2B and second-baseman covers 1B. 3B is covered by either the pitcher of third-baseman after they charge the bunt (i.e., the one who isn't fielding the bunt).
Problem: Teams often get their 1B runner to 3B because the third-baseman and particularly the pitcher forget to peel back to 3B if they aren't the one fielding the bunt.
My new thinking (for us): Very, very seldom will we be throwing to 2B for the out. I'd say 95 percent of the time we're throwing to 1B for the surest out (due to that runner being the last one on the bag). I, therefore, think for our team it would be best to have the short-stop cover 3B to keep the runner at 2B, and, given we essentially concede the runner getting to 2B, have the center-fielder hustle in to keep the runner who gets to 2B a bit more humble (but the throw will not go there). This is NOT what I've taught, but I think it's now what would be best for my team. We have to get the surest out without the opponent getting these extra bases because someone forgets to get back to 3B. Yes, I do realize that many have their left-fielder sprint in to cover 3B, and she should do that if nobody else covers, but I don't believe that is as good (IMO) as having the short-stop cover.
Scenario: Runner at 1B with batter bunting.
What I've taught: Corners and pitcher charge bunt. Short-stop covers 2B and second-baseman covers 1B. 3B is covered by either the pitcher of third-baseman after they charge the bunt (i.e., the one who isn't fielding the bunt).
Problem: Teams often get their 1B runner to 3B because the third-baseman and particularly the pitcher forget to peel back to 3B if they aren't the one fielding the bunt.
My new thinking (for us): Very, very seldom will we be throwing to 2B for the out. I'd say 95 percent of the time we're throwing to 1B for the surest out (due to that runner being the last one on the bag). I, therefore, think for our team it would be best to have the short-stop cover 3B to keep the runner at 2B, and, given we essentially concede the runner getting to 2B, have the center-fielder hustle in to keep the runner who gets to 2B a bit more humble (but the throw will not go there). This is NOT what I've taught, but I think it's now what would be best for my team. We have to get the surest out without the opponent getting these extra bases because someone forgets to get back to 3B. Yes, I do realize that many have their left-fielder sprint in to cover 3B, and she should do that if nobody else covers, but I don't believe that is as good (IMO) as having the short-stop cover.