Runner on 2nd, less than two outs bunt defense

I had this scenario come up many times this past weekend. Runner on 2nd and less than two outs. What is the best way to defend the bunt? Just let the team sacrifice and take the out at 1st or try to make a play at third? This is 14u and we played a team that small balled us to death. Any advice on the setup for the defense before the pitch occurs?

Thanks,
Coach C

Personally I will take the higher % play, that being the out at 1st. If there are 0 outs, you now have 1 out runner on 3rd. Depending upon the game situation you can allow the run to score to get the 2nd out, or attempt to get the runner at home if the play is hit to the infield.

If there is 1 out, you now have 2 outs runner on 3rd. Then just work the batter.

If you are confident the batter is going to bunt you need to pull your 3B and 1B in before the pitch. It is also a good idea to make your 3B and 1B wear a mask in case the batter pulls back and swings! I would suggest taking the out at 1B if the batter gets the bunt down because if you try for the out at 3B and do not make the play, your problems are going to snowball. Once the runner reaches 3B you need to make sure you 3B and P know to "look the runner back" before making the throw to 1B.

Tough situation... personally I'd get the guaranteed out at 1st, and then work on pitching drop balls to try to keep the ball in the infield where we can "check" 3 before throwing to 1.

The play we use in this case, First we want high pitches. at 14U the girls will still be learning so most will bunt at any pitch close. Looking for a pop up or some foul balls. My rotation is third and 2nd will be charging, SS will cover third and first stays put and my center fielder will cheat in and cover 2nd. Then we would look to throw the runner out at 2nd if batter missed the ball.

I have become a bigger fan of charging 2nd over 1st (mainly because our 1st base is a TERRIBLE thrower).

But yes - TAKE the out at 1st unless it is a really, really easy out at third.

One more thing I am also seeing is that players are push bunting past charging infielders to SS - and if she is headed to third or is thinking about it, you can often wrong foot the SS or hit it into the gap she vacates.

What we do is when we are in this position with speed on 2nd, we will often fake bunt, fake steal third on the first pitch (really we are taking and looking to see what the defense is doing) to see if the SS is going to go with her on a steal with 3rd charging. We will then actually steal third while trying to push bunt to SS on the next pitch. We get a lot of free hits and bases with this play.

Ever watch Moneyball? Take the out at first and say thank you. Unless it's no outs and team is playing for winning run, that out at first is more important than runner moving to third.

I am seeing fear in my 3rd baseman to really charge the ball. It seems either she or 1st are a step slow getting to the bunt which results in not getting any outs.

I'm going the different route here. I always like the lead out when available. If that girl is off of second base at all, we field the ball and charge her. We get outs at both second and third this way. Once she commits, the ball is going. Now, this is 12s so we can get away with this a bit. Most bunts are fielded by my 3rd baseman, and I am supremely confident in her ability to field it quickly, cleanly, and make a great throw and decision. That makes the biggest difference to me in this. Having the girl there that you trust to make the best decision with the ball.

CJ D said:

I'm going the different route here. I always like the lead out when available.

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Well I do to but the 'when available' on a good bunt is not going to happen against most.

I know what I'd coach if I saw a 3rdB wanting to make the out at 3rd - I am pretty sure with reasonably smart base runners (not that there are that many) I can get both players safe with a reasonable bunt and decent speed. It is such a tough play for a 3rd base charging to a bunt to make a 180 degree turn, make a hard throw hopefully to the SS covering 3rd for a tag out unless it is a really bad bunt or a slow runner especially since she probably can't actually see the base runner going to third as her back is to her - I would have to believe the C would have to make the throw call here.

With the exception of late in the game of a really tight pitchers dual I am generally much happier with the out and a runner at third than not getting the out and having runners on first and third. Seen way too many big innings happen when you let a sure out get on base.

And of course, if you have the luxury of a great 3B you can take more chances. I haven't had one of those unfortunately for a couple of years (well actually I do - the problem is she is a stud SS so she is there instead).