Bunts!...Exit Stage Left or Right?

[CoogansBluff]

IMHO pitchers should pitch and fielders should field just that simple ....

I respect that, but I'd be curious to know how often anyone has seen a pitcher injured by a runner sliding at third base. The only time a pitcher has a play at third is when there is a bunt w/ a runner on first and when the third baseman fields the bunt, and when the runner at first tries to advance from first on a bunt. Those things might happen on the same play fewer than 5 times all summer. A pitcher is more likely to be injured running the bases. If your pitcher is an excellent baserunner, should you always pinch run?

 

[CoachKevin]

Honestly, it's just a deterent. Having a body at 3B will prevent 99.9999% of the runners trying to advance from 1st to 3rd on a bunt, and thats only if 3B fields the bunt, if anyone else fields it 3B retreats back to the bag.

 

[fastpitchdad8]

It is a sign of amateur or ex-baseball coaches.


Pitchers don't practice it, aren't specialists in fielding

Don't get there in time in proper position (per 1)


The reason you don't see them injured is because they don't do it and should not be doing it, never mind that never get there in time after folks yell at them to go there. So have fun with it.

Ummm...yeah, you're wrong..

 

[gatorcoach]

It is a sign of amateur or ex-baseball coaches.

Issues:
Runners don't try that crap later.
Pitchers don't practice it, aren't specialists in fielding/covering and have you ever seen any cover home properly (well maybe one or two)?
They are turning their back to the infield or play to get there (per 1)
Don't get there in time in proper position (per 1)
Potential for injury
They are now out of the circle with runner(s) on base.

The reason you don't see them injured is because they don't do it and should not be doing it, never mind that never get there in time after folks yell at them to go there. So have fun with it.[/QUOTE

Watching Big 10 softball games Last night and this afternoon and saw both teams cover bunt w/ runner on 1st w/ P/3B whomever didn't field ball. Also, 1 time P late covering and runner attemted 1st-3rd. Both teams coached by former Major D1 softball players. Guess they missed the memo?????????

 

[wichita]

I respect that, but I'd be curious to know how often anyone has seen a pitcher injured by a runner sliding at third base. The only time a pitcher has a play at third is when there is a bunt w/ a runner on first and when the third baseman fields the bunt, and when the runner at first tries to advance from first on a bunt. Those things might happen on the same play fewer than 5 times all summer. A pitcher is more likely to be injured running the bases. If your pitcher is an excellent baserunner, should you always pinch run?

Not sure what part of the country you live in but on the west coast if you are late getting to third (regardless of whom covers the bag)the runner on first is going to third. And if no one is on base third can field, throw to first, and get back to the bag before the runner assuming the batter runner is safe at first of course...

 

[CoachKevin]

It is a sign of amateur or ex-baseball coaches.

Issues:
Runners don't try that crap later.
Pitchers don't practice it, aren't specialists in fielding/covering and have you ever seen any cover home properly (well maybe one or two)?
They are turning their back to the infield or play to get there (per 1)
Don't get there in time in proper position (per 1)
Potential for injury
They are now out of the circle with runner(s) on base.

The reason you don't see them injured is because they don't do it and should not be doing it, never mind that never get there in time after folks yell at them to go there. So have fun with it.

Yea out in left field is right... what you state as fact.. is in fact wrong. Many D1 schools have coverage this way. Oh and while we are speaking of D1, when have you coached the winning team of the WCWS?

See you dont know how to communicate, you could have said IMHO, or I believe... but no, you have to say NO that is wrong. Well there are many ways to cover bunts, I say do whatever works for your team. See that might be better than being a huge Richard on the boards

 

[chinamigarden]

It is a sign of amateur or ex-baseball coaches.

Issues:
Runners don't try that crap later.
Pitchers don't practice it, aren't specialists in fielding/covering and have you ever seen any cover home properly (well maybe one or two)?
They are turning their back to the infield or play to get there (per 1)
Don't get there in time in proper position (per 1)
Potential for injury
They are now out of the circle with runner(s) on base.

The reason you don't see them injured is because they don't do it and should not be doing it, never mind that never get there in time after folks yell at them to go there. So have fun with it.

Pitchers don't practice it and aren't good at fielding when they have had coaches tell them to worry only about pitching and not fielding. Of course those same girls are typically not in a defensive ready position to field the hot shot back up the middle either, because someone told them not to worry about fielding. But thats ok we can put a mask on her and that will make up for everything.

They give those girls a glove to wear for more then just receiving the ball back from the catcher.