Bunt defense

DD's new high school coach had some interesting ideas about bunt coverage, but after consulting with his assistant coaches he changed the coverage the next day to a more traditional approach (second baseman covers first, not pitcher). Looks like my dd will play shortstop this spring, which is the first time she's played full time at ss since 12U. As they were going thru bunt coverage, runner on first, when the bunt was executed, dd ran to second base to cover the force play. Coach insisted that ss should cover third on that play to prevent the runner from going from first to third on a bunt. DD indicated that in her experience the pitcher or third baseman needs to hustle to 3B so that ss can cover the force play at second. Coach (and the assistants) disagreed, saying that it's impossible to get a force at second on a bunt (!) and that she should cover third instead. Okay, they're the coaches. Whatever.

Just curious to know from you coaches - do you concede second base on the bunt and have ss cover 3B? This is high school varsity level. Thanks.

While diffacult in no way is it impossible to get the force at second and what is pitcher and 3B doing while the play is going on or left fielder for that matter all could cover third?

If you are playing 1B, 3B and P crash then the left fielder can easily beat runner from first to third unless she is playing on the fence or P or 3B cover after its obvious there is no play. I'm not giving up a chance to get the lead runner, that runner is usually holding a little just to make sure the bunt is not a pop up and they don't get doubled off; a hard one hop bunt to 3B or P and you can usually get lead runner.

Getting the force at 2B depends a lot on where the bunt is, the speed of the fielder handling it, and the speed of the runner. A bunt a little too hard right back to the pitcher should be a pretty easy out at 2B.

If no one is covering second and the other team sees this, what is to stop them from showing bunt, pulling back at the last second (or intentionally missing the bunt) and stealing 2nd uncontested?

Sweet Lou said:

If no one is covering second and the other team sees this, what is to stop them from showing bunt, pulling back at the last second (or intentionally missing the bunt) and stealing 2nd uncontested?

Click to expand...

This ^^^^^

29dad said:

DD's new high school coach had some interesting ideas about bunt coverage, but after consulting with his assistant coaches he changed the coverage the next day to a more traditional approach (second baseman covers first, not pitcher). Looks like my dd will play shortstop this spring, which is the first time she's played full time at ss since 12U. As they were going thru bunt coverage, runner on first, when the bunt was executed, dd ran to second base to cover the force play. Coach insisted that ss should cover third on that play to prevent the runner from going from first to third on a bunt. DD indicated that in her experience the pitcher or third baseman needs to hustle to 3B so that ss can cover the force play at second. Coach (and the assistants) disagreed, saying that it's impossible to get a force at second on a bunt (!) and that she should cover third instead. Okay, they're the coaches. Whatever.

Just curious to know from you coaches - do you concede second base on the bunt and have ss cover 3B? This is high school varsity level. Thanks.

Click to expand...

My personal philosophy is that i have my catcher cover 3rd. 1st/3rd will then cover home.
The head coach on the team i work with sends his ss to 2nd, but as soon as there isnt a play there she heads to 3rd. it works well for us

Leaving 2B unattended is ludicrous. Do that and I'll just have our batter pull the bat back and the runner steal the base.

If there is only a runner on first, 3B and P work out who's getting over to cover 3B during the play. If 3B fields the ball, then P has to cover. If neither or P fields the ball, 3B turns immediately around and goes back. The girl who ends up having to cover is screaming that she has it the whole time so there is no confusion.

Having LF cover is not the best idea. If I see that when I am coaching 3B, I am bringing a fast runner to third to draw the throw from a 2B covering 1B. If the throw is off, then there is no one backing up 3B and everybody scores!

Also, it is really, really difficult to get a runner out at 2B on a bunt. Lots of stuff has to go right, including a horrible bunt (too hard) and lots of other stuff. My team is very, very good and I can count on one hand the number of lead runners we throw out at 2B on bunts during a 100+ game season. Of course, my girls will often error on the side of taking the easier play at 1B because they are taught to get an out no matter what, but it is extremely rare when I think they make the wrong decision....even less often than we make the play at 2B.

Hawkeyes said:

My personal philosophy is that i have my catcher cover 3rd. 1st/3rd will then cover home.

Click to expand...

I've seen it done every way, but this is the best IMO.

Regardless of how you choose to do it leaving 2nd open is a mistake.

Hawkeyes said:

My personal philosophy is that i have my catcher cover 3rd. 1st/3rd will then cover home.
The head coach on the team i work with sends his ss to 2nd, but as soon as there isnt a play there she heads to 3rd. it works well for us

Click to expand...

What is your pitchers responsability in this case?