Bunting with Bases loaded and less than two outs

[Softball scholar]

Hard to believe the coach called a squeeze without the batter knowing that pulling back is not a option. For it to work you have to actually have to practice it and the players need to know you put a bat on the ball no matter where its pitched, seen a batter golf one that bounced in front of the plate for a successful squeeze so Id say great play call, bad execution.

The pitch was significantly outside and the batter might not have been able to reach it. Again we had a power hitter up who doesn't bunt that much. Im not sure if a squeeze or a safety squeeze call, but maybe the runner got over aggressive and didn't read the play and over committed. Poor execution might have been on the hitter or the runner, but we didn't execute well. But there's risk in the squeeze play of running out of the inning. But the point being we had a power hitter up who's the slowest runner on the team. Were down by 3 with the bases loaded. Why play for one run when we need at least 3 to tie up the game and give up an easy out? Its a horrible call.

 

[Cannonball]

I know of a team where the #4 did this two weeks ago. The parents were up in arms. Coach is stupid ... Player did it on her own. Noticed that both corners were way back and so if she could get the ball down, a run scores. BTW, runner on 3B was outstanding and read it right away.

 

[KCM]

All 11 of my batters in the line up will lay down the bunt when asked. It is their job no matter what!

 

[Softball scholar]

All 11 of my batters in the line up will lay down the bunt when asked. It is their job no matter what!

Its the coaches job to put kids in the best position to win and to not make stupid decisions to prevent the team from winning.

 

[Cannonball]

Its the coaches job to put kids in the best position to win and to make stupid decisions to prevent the team from winning.

A few years ago, I had a very good HS baseball team. We played in one of the top HS tournaments in our state. We were playing the #2 team in the state. While we were studs, they were supposed to be better. I've told this story several times but we bunted 7 times in a row and with bases loaded. Now I'm sure that parents and people in the stands thought that I was stupid as well. We short gamed them and their #1 pitcher.

 

[canyonjoe]

Maybe it's just the teams we've always played on but our number 3 and 4 hitters were always very good bunters. They might not do it a lot, but certainly could do it
when called upon.

 

[Elk Grove Hurricane]

This is one of those genius/idiot makers. There isn't anything in between for any coach who tries it. You either have to have players who can execute this play with perfection or be facing a team who aren't the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree to make it work.

 

[Softball scholar]

A few years ago, I had a very good HS baseball team. We played in one of the top HS tournaments in our state. We were playing the #2 team in the state. While we were studs, they were supposed to be better. I've told this story several times but we bunted 7 times in a row and with bases loaded. Now I'm sure that parents and people in the stands thought that I was stupid as well. We short gamed them and their #1 pitcher.

Was the team was #2 in the state after that drubbing? Seems hard to believe the #2 team in state couldn't defend the bunt and they had to have known it was coming after the 2nd bunt. But Cannonball, I heard your times are well prepared, so I you knew all seven bunters could get an effective bunt down. Also through your experience and scouting of that team, you knew that team's pitcher and 3rd baseman were weak on bunt defense, or you probably wouldn't have tried it.


You had the above advantages mentioned. In our case we were facing struggling pitcher who had already walked two girls that inning. We had our 2nd best hitter on team but slowest runner, and were down by 3 runs. Coach has never practiced a squeeze play in practice. Coach didn't have any idea about how good or bad this teams bunt defense was. And we call the squeeze play and get burned. Ironically, the same batter hit a home run in her next at bat. Of course the coach yells at the girls at the end of the game for not executing well after we lose by one run.

Its just like all those people that go to the casino and win and brag how good there at it. But you never hear about the 20 times they went to the casino and lost.

 

[Cannonball]

Softball Scholar, I understand but wanted to make a point that there are sometimes other things that a coach might know or notice that others don't and so, they take advantage of that. For the most part, I agree with your statement about bunting with bases loaded. After all, it should be the easiest toss for a force out. Again, just making a point that once in a while, there are other factors.

Take care,

Darrell