How to Bunt

Whether it's used to advance a base runner, get a base hit or help score a run, bunting is a critical skill that can make or break a game, depending on execution. The correct way to bunt is unfortunately a skill that is often missing in today's game. The game has evolved into a feast or famine sport where home runs and big hitters are the prized commodity. However, "small ball" can and does win games on a consistent basis; it just doesn't make SportsCenter and often precedes the monster homerun, yet is just as important to a team’s success. The following steps will help you lay down the perfect bunt when the game’s on the line and you need to move the runner(s) into scoring position, or you want to take advantage of your speed and/or an out-of-position third baseman. There are two types of bunts--bunting for a hit and a sacrifice bunt.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Sacrifice Bunt

1. Realize that to sacrifice means to give oneself up for the greater good. When a player is called to sacrifice himself he is essentially giving away an out in return that the runners on base can advance one position. Sacrifice bunts often take place with no outs in the inning, and the entire stadium and opposing team knows it’s coming, which does not make it an ineffective play.
2. Move-up in the batter’s box when you receive the sign from the third base coach. This makes it more likely for the ball to land in fair territory. As the pitcher goes into his motion you begin to “square” as he reaches the top of his motion. It’s okay to square early, you are sacrificing, or giving yourself up.
3. Know the proper way to "square." This is the same position you would end up if you were taking a swing. Pivot on your back foot (like you are squishing a bug) and have your front foot pointing toward the second base position (for righties). You do NOT want to square so that both feet are pointing directly at the pitcher. This makes it nearly impossible to get out of the way if the ball is thrown at you and leaves you quite vulnerable.
4. Have the bat in its proper bunt grip. For righties, your left hand will stay at the bottom of the bat and give the bat control, while your right hand will slide up the neck of the bat to where the barrel begins to get bigger, often resting on the skinny portion of the bat. It is important that your right hand hides behind the bat or is not exposed to the incoming pitch. The contact of the ball against the bat could cause several broken fingers. Extend your arms out toward the pitcher. Having "alligator arms" does not allow you to see the ball make contact with the bat, as well as rendering it less likely the ball will end up in fair territory.
5. Treat the pitch just like you were looking to swing and drive the ball into the gap. You want something down in the zone where you can deaden the ball. Attempting to bunt a high fastball often results in a popup to the catcher or pitcher.
   
6. Pick a location out in front of home plate to lay down the sacrifice bunt. This is largely determined by the actions of the defense. Under most circumstances you want the third baseman to field the ball, especially if you are trying to move the runner from second to third.
7. Angle the barrel of the bat using your lower hand as the guide either up the first or third base line. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Your job is to simply have the defense try and make a play at first base. The worst case scenario is either a hard bunt directly back to the pitcher, a popup that is caught by the infield or a bunt that lands directly in front of home plate allowing the catcher, the only infielder who can see what is happening on the field in front of him, to make a force play at second or even third base.
8. Bunting for a hit on the other hand is completely different. To attempt this kind of offensive strategy there are several factors you should consider: 1) Who hits behind me? Getting on base is always important, however, leaving it up to the next guy, a potentially weaker hitter, may not pan out. 2) Where’s the defense? Is the third baseman playing on the grass? Or is he well behind the bag? 3) Am I fast? While being fleet of foot is not a requisite for bunting (a perfect bunt tends to be a single whether your Ichiro or Big Papi), having speed does help.
   
   Unlike a sacrifice bunt, when you attempt to bunt for a hit you want the ball to be perfect or foul. You want the ball to literally be inches from the line (ideally, you want it on the line as you watch the third baseman plead for the ball to trickle foul). Also, while the footwork is the same, it is done after the pitch has been delivered and is much quicker, as you are literally running to first base just prior to making contact.

Suicide and Safety Squeeze

9. Examine the situation. Use the squeeze play in either a close game, with a base runner of at least average speed on third base, and with fewer than two outs in the inning.
10. Know about the difference between suicide squeeze vs. safety squeeze. Suicide squeeze plays occur when a base runner on third base heads home and the hitter attempts to bunt. If the batter fails to execute the bunt, the play becomes an attempted steal of home plate. Safety squeeze plays occur when the runner doesn't attempt to steal home until the batter bunts the ball down. The suicide squeeze offers a greater chance for both scoring and disaster, since the runner heads for home base regardless.
11. Employ the suicide squeeze by making contact with the ball regardless of where the pitch is thrown. If you miss the pitch, move out of the oncoming base runner's path.
12. Use the same stance and movement as in a sacrifice bunt.
13. Push the ball away from the third base line upon making contact.
14. Make sure the player fielding the ball, ideally the pitcher or first baseman, will be forced to throw home rather than simply tagging the runner out.
15. Run to first base after following through. The defense is likely to try to make the play at home before throwing to first base.

Tips & Warnings

• Attempt to make contact with a pitch close to the strike zone. Pull the bat back if the pitch is high. For a low pitch, bend your knees to keep your bat low to the surface, and try not to pop the ball up. To make sure the ball is hit downward, hold the top of the bat slightly higher than the handle.
• For more advanced players, try pivoting your shoulders rather than "squaring up" your entire body. Using the pivot keeps both feet in a normal hitting stance. This allows hitters to momentarily "show bunt" only to get back to a normal stance before the pitch is thrown.