Is bunting considered "old softball"

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Jun 8, 2016
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I don't know what run expectancy stats look like for women's fastpitch. That said BA are higher in women's fastpitch then they are in MLB so one may be able to draw a conclusion from that.
 
Apr 20, 2015
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I think it depends. For example my kiddo is normally a great hitter. Rarely strikes out but this pitcher in the semi finals had her # all game. Fortunately my kiddo is also a really good bunter and super fast for a righty. Bases loaded no outs our beyond outstanding lead off hitter gets struck out. My kiddo wiffs strike one at the same stupid pitch that had her # all day. Coach sees it...calls instead for the suicide squeeze...game over! You won't be able to convince me that was a wasted bunt.

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Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
Okay, no one wins this debate, not argument, debate! Bunting is near and dear to my heart, in my eyes a bunt won us the 2018 State Championship.

Championship game, my DD has already had two hits against this D1 commit who to this day is the best set up pitcher we’ve ever faced, rise ball that was just un-hittable. With two strikes on you she could stand on the rubber and tell you she was going to throw a rise ball, you knew it was coming!

Anna is having some success against her, Anna’s on deck for her 3rd AB, she’s in the 3 hole. No outs, our number 2 is leading off, lefty slapper who’s fast. She slaps one down the 3B line which forced a backhand, 3B throws the ball over the 1B’s head, my runner is standing on 2B with no outs!

Anna’s walking to the box, I’m coaching 1B, I signal to the HC at 3B to bunt Anna and I get a WHAT?? Yes bunt her NOW!

Anna lays down a perfect bunt, we now have a runner on 3rd with one out, she was called out on a very questionable call at 1B, didn’t matter, we scored that all important run and won the game, and the State Championship! Score 3-2, we definitely beat a better team than us!

That bunt was key! Could Anna have hit a double and scored that run, or hit a HR? Who knows, it’ll never matter, it was a huge moment and the right call!

Trophy is in the trophy case!
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Okay, no one wins this debate, not argument, debate! Bunting is near and dear to my heart, in my eyes a bunt won us the 2018 State Championship.

Championship game, my DD has already had two hits against this D1 commit who to this day is the best set up pitcher we’ve ever faced, rise ball that was just un-hittable. With two strikes on you she could stand on the rubber and tell you she was going to throw a rise ball, you knew it was coming!

Anna is having some success against her, Anna’s on deck for her 3rd AB, she’s in the 3 hole. No outs, our number 2 is leading off, lefty slapper who’s fast. She slaps one down the 3B line which forced a backhand, 3B throws the ball over the 1B’s head, my runner is standing on 2B with no outs!

Anna’s walking to the box, I’m coaching 1B, I signal to the HC at 3B to bunt Anna and I get a WHAT?? Yes bunt her NOW!

Anna lays down a perfect bunt, we now have a runner on 3rd with one out, she was called out on a very questionable call at 1B, didn’t matter, we scored that all important run and won the game, and the State Championship! Score 3-2, we definitely beat a better team than us!

That bunt was key! Could Anna have hit a double and scored that run, or hit a HR? Who knows, it’ll never matter, it was a huge moment and the right call!

Trophy is in the trophy case!
It was the right call because your pitcher only gave up 2 runs..you should thank her for making you look good... 😂
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
Vertigo, where are you? I’m going over to the leather section where I belong! I’m going to take my State Championship trophy and go home, or to bed in this case!
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Vertigo, where are you? I’m going over to the leather section where I belong! I’m going to take my State Championship trophy and go home, or to bed in this case!
In fairness to you the statistics presented are just averages. There will always be a place for coaches who are aware of the current game situation and realize the answer the average gives doesn't necessarily apply in the current situation. Maybe you had a good idea that, from the way the batters were swinging against your pitcher that day, one run would increase your probability of winning by a lot.
 

NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
Back in 2008 we are playing in the State Championship game. During the warm ups the HC notices that the opposition 3b has a somewhat hurried throw, many of which were off target. So it's a 2-2 game in the 5th and we have a runner on 3rd with 1 out. Remembering the warmups, the HC calls a squeeze. The batter bunts the ball a little too hard toward 3B. The 3b had the base runner until she threw the ball into the dirt it went to the screen. The batter ends up at 3B. The opposing coach goes to the pitchers circle for a conference. One of our HC's favorite times to put on a play is right after an opposing teams conference. So naturally we do it again only better execution forces the 3b to throw to 1B, and it's in the dirt and into RF. After that the roof fell in on the opposition and we won 7-2 on bunts, errors, walks, and wild pitches

Maybe if the 3b makes those plays things turn out differently. But the trophy is in the display case and it got there primarily because the opposition couldn't defense bunting.
 

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