Bunt coverage differences

Hawkeyes said:

Here is my offensive thought process for 1st and 3rd. The first time we get this, the 1st pitch is going to be a fake bunt with no runners moving. Yes, I am giving up 1 strike. Which is not a big deal to me. I am looking at how the D reacts. If SS goes to 3rd and 2B goes to 1st, then we are going to fake bunt steal every single time. IF SS covers 2B, then we will look at a safety squeeze bunt. We bunt it to 3rd. The runner on 3rd walks the line and breaks on the throw. there is nobody behind her so she can get a real big lead. If the 3B doesnt make the throw, she runs back to 3rd and we have the bases loaded.

How do i defend 1st and 3rd: Our corners are taught not to break as hard on the square for 1st and 3rd, rather a bit more cautious to make sure ball is down. SS goes to 3rd, 2B goes to 2nd, and 1B sits. Pitcher covers 1st base side bunts. We have a call from the dugout where they can fake the throw to 1st and try get the girl off 3rd and the 3B can make that call on her own as well

We will make slight adjustments situationally as needed

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Axe said:

I hate giving up strikes period, especially when we have two runners on base. Now it's that much harder to score, not to mention that good teams might change up their defense from one pitch to the next once we've shown bunt.

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SB45 said:

Couple thoughts...just maybe a different point of view to consider. This seems like you are giving up 2nd base for free on a fake bunt, as there is no one there to cover. We don't like giving up that base for free. I feel like there is a progression here as your team ages...first it is, you fool the runner at 3rd and she breaks for home. (my guess is for you...this is this spring beginning of the summer) Having 4 cut off the throw, you've likely got that covered. The next progression is the runner is frozen or only breaks for home if the throw goes through to second...in which case the play you want is most likely at 3rd base. Is 6 there in time to cover an immediate throw from 4 after the cut? (my guess is...this is where you'll be at the end of next summer) Once you start freezing runners at 3B by having the play well covered, you may be able to let the throw go through to second base and get the runner stealing. (this is what you'll be talking about with your team next off season)

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FrozenRope said:

To the original post, I would never have a permanent strategy of keeping 3 back at the bag. Once a team recognizes this, and they have a strong bunting team... they'll push the ball up the first base line all day and win most of those contests. The worst part is, they'll no longer need to hide it... they can square a bit earlier to place it up the line, and without 3 crashing... there's no repercussion.

Best base strategy I've seen is, Crash 3 and 5, 4 goes to 1st, 6 covers 2nd or 3rd depending on potential steal situation and 7 or 8 cover the bag that 6 leaves vacant.

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Rockjerry said:

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.

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