Is bunting considered "old softball"

[dmcwhinnie]

I think that depending on the situation there is a time to bunt. In HS baseball if we had runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs we would bunt if we were having a hard time hitting a certain pitcher. Sometimes if you have a batter that is struggling it is a way to force the defense to have to make a play. Sometimes the weather can play a role. We were playing a team that was much better than us and we had runners on 1st and 2nd and it started to rain. They delayed the game and when we came back we bunted and the pitcher fielded the ball and threw it into left field, this was a kid who later played D1 ball and played in the pros. We scored the go ahead run and ended up winning the game. This team was much better than us and without that bunt we would have lost.

 

[Vmatoush024]

I ran into a former HS player at a tournament who graduated from a Big 10 school this year. She had just gotten a job at a midwest college as an assistant coach. We spoke for several minutes on the state of our HS program, and game strategy we play. Near the end of our conversation she flat out said "and don't waste outs bunting".

I've always believed in small ball as a weapon. Is this now considered "old softball"?

I think it depends on the situation. I coached under a hall of fame high school coach who preached solid defense, great pitching, and aggressive base running. During BP the rule was 2 bunts 2 slaps and 2 swings. My thought was, unless we needed to move a runner over late in a game, I would allow the 3-4-5-6 hitters to swing away with confidence, BUT I expected any player to be able to lay a bunt down if necessary.

 

[thecat]

Look like everyone kept this civil. What it ultimately boils down to is payoff. Of you sit down at a casino table and you have the same chances of winning do you bet on the 2 to 1 line or the 3 to 1 line

Regarding analytics every college baseball coach I know subscribes to a service. I can't imagine softball not doing the same unless it's not available. The data is unimaginable

 

[thecat]

Watch DeShields get suckered by the catcher. Also listen to Harold Reynolds. That wasn't an accident. Delino senior probably let him have it

 

[inumpire]

I ran into a former HS player at a tournament who graduated from a Big 10 school this year. She had just gotten a job at a midwest college as an assistant coach. We spoke for several minutes on the state of our HS program, and game strategy we play. Near the end of our conversation she flat out said "and don't waste outs bunting".

I've always believed in small ball as a weapon. Is this now considered "old softball"?

Might be why the Big 10 hasn’t won many national championships.

 

[livingontheroad]

So your position on bunting is that coaches are unable to teach hitters how to bunt? That these players (minus your daughter) reached the highest level of softball and didn't even know how to hold a bat in order to bunt?

That the dozens of coaches that these players had in rec ball, all-stars, travel ball, and high school ball all failed these players?

Or alternatively one of the issues with bunting is that it's hard to do consistently (even for professional hitters).

I can tell you my daughter played travel for coaches in ASA hall of fame. Guys that built womens softball in US. 40 yr + coaches. She....was taught right. I seen many college coaches that are very poor coaches. Several used to get my daughters travel coaches to go with them to evaluate girls......one knew nothing about pitchers..... And that coach won D3 national championship.

Theres a time and place for everything. In travel ball...we would typically beat best teams in first inning. Lead off on (was team usa slapper... fast as a deer), bunt her to 3rd. after stealing 2. Score her before the other team knew what happened and settled down. The cleanup hitter...led ncaa in HR a few years ago ...Then hold on for the win 1-0.

If you want me to say most rec and travel coaches have deficiencies, okay I'll say it they arent all that. And neither are most college coaches. My daughters college coach couldnt teach team to bunt......and they made it to championship of super regional senior year.

My daughter was recruited by a school a girl 2 yrs ahead of her in travel program played for. Coach admitted he was looking for a HR hitter. The # home runs they had was low. I said "what about JP"....she only had 2 hr last yr....that girl hit multiples in games in travel ball........such is how little many coaches even know about players....and how they mess them up too.

A college coach called my daughters 16U coach looking for a catcher once.... Coach said what about..xxx? he already had one of his girls playing for him.....on 1B.....didnt even know she caught all thru hs and travel ball and was good catcher.

If you dont have speed.....bunting isnt going to do you much good. Our leadoff slapper...slapped against a team in CO tourney once....when shortstop fielded hard hit ball and looked up.....she was already across 1st base......there was a look of disbelief on some faces

 

[625ender]

Watch DeShields get suckered by the catcher. Also listen to Harold Reynolds. That wasn't an accident. Delino senior probably let him have it

Dummy!

 

[quincy]

Who is the dummy?

In MLB no one usually bunts except the pitcher.

Big talk was with runner starting on 2nd in extra innings the 1st batter would bunt. I have watched a few extra inning games, go cubs, no one has bunted.

 

[625ender]

Who is the dummy?

Jr. I know his daddy didn't teach him that way. The catcher slid out early amd loud with a low and away. He heard it and thought he would be sneaky and lean in. High and tight got him some Ash corn on the cob. Dummy

His father was a great bunter even Billy Hamilton calls him for a chat

 

[Fury_Mike]

or hit a double..... if you coach on your heels you'll get what you get

A bunt has a few options of certainties and batted ball has many many more

I think a bunt can create more uncertainties. 3-4 people converging on the same ball, people covering bases they don’t normally cover, often having to throw with minimal momentum and awkward footwork, 2-3 people having to move again to their second responsibility, base runners that are behind you, the list goes on. Easier that a ground ball to SS, or fly ball, I think not