How to Execute a Bunt and Run

Teaching your baseball team how to bunt isn't too difficult. Teaching them to steal a base is just as easy. Getting your team to learn how to bunt and run at the same time, while knowing when to do it in the game, is a real skill. Note these steps on how to successfully execute a bunt and run in baseball.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A team that has learned bunting and base-running
• Your best bunter up to bat with a runner on

1. Teach the team the reasoning behind a bunt-and-run. When the batter squares around and shows bunt, it's important that the team pays attention to what the team in the field does to defend it. Take note of where the third baseman goes and what the middle infielders do with regard to the runner.

2. Run drills in practice, making sure to tell your team that the key is in the element of surprise. The runner should run a delayed steal (not break immediately on the pitcher's release), but should keep his eyes on the pitch to make sure the bunt isn't popped up and caught. The batter needs to protect the runner any way possible, and should make all efforts to get the bat on the ball.

3. Practice the situation often leading up to the team's next game. Considering the amount of time a team at any level will be bunting or stealing, it saves time to practice them both at once. It will help to take notes on your team's faster runners and better bunters.

4. Analyze the situation in the live game. Ideally, to bunt-and-run, you want less than two outs with at least one runner on base. It is preferred to have a good bunter up, but the key essential to a bunt-and-run is simply getting the ball in play.

5. Signal the bunt-and-run in the game, noting that the runner needs to pay attention to where the infielders are moving. If the bunt is laid down, and he is easily going to make it to second base while the throw goes to first, he should take a look at the third baseman to see if the base is covered.

6. Follow up with the team at your next practice on the successes and failures of the previous game's bunt-and-run opportunities. Teach them about their mistakes, explaining them positively.

Tips & Warnings

• Ideally, the hitter wants to bunt down the third base line. This forces the third baseman in, and makes for a more difficult throw to first to get the runner. Also, it could leave open just enough time for the runner at second to sneak in to third before he gets back.
• Hold bunting drills aimed at working on various kinds of bunts: sacrifice bunts, suicide squeeze bunts, bunts-for-hits and bunt-and-runs.
• The runner is live if the bunt is popped up and caught. It's pretty simple to get caught in a double-play if the runner isn't paying attention.