Team Northwest Playbook

Bunting�is�very�important�in�baseball�

because�it�is�very�often�a�determining�

factor�in�close�games.��Teams�that�bunt�

well�set�themselves�up�to�win�those�

close�games.��Someone�still�has�to�drive�

in�the�runs,�but�the�good�teams�get�the�

winning�run�in�scoring�position�more�

often�than�the�bad�team.��By�

understanding�bunt�defense�and�

executing�it�properly�you�can�put�a�lot�of�

pressure�on�the�bunting�team.

It �is�vitally�important �to�know�that �if�an�offensive�player�lays�down�a�good�

bunt �that �he�is�going�to�get �the�runner�or�runners�into�scoring�position.��If�

a�player�lays�down�a�good�bunt �then�it �is�imperative�that �you�get �an�out .��

If�you�get �an�out ,�you�are�a�double�play�or�one�pitch�from�getting�out �of�an�

inning.��Many�games�are�lost �because�the�defense�got �nobody�out �on�a�

bunt �by�throwing�to�the�wrong�base�or�too�late�to�a�base�because�of�

indecision.

The�bunt �defenses�that �are�diagrammed�on�the�following�pages�are�

designed�to�try�and�get �out �the�lead�runner,�but �remember,�if�it �is�a�good�

bunt ,�GET�AN�OUT�at �first �base.

BUNT�DEFENSE

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Bunt Defense • Page

Team Northwest Playbook

Standard Bunt Defense - MAN ON FIRST

PITCHER - Throw a strike, then break for the plate.

CATCHER - Has front of plate responsibility. Calls the play for whomever fields the bunt. Must cover third if third baseman fields bunt.

FIRST BASEMAN - Break for the plate when pitcher delivers the pitch. Cover the right side of infield.

SECOND BASEMAN - Cheat toward first. Break hard when he sees bunt. Take priority over first baseman at the bag.

SHORTSTOP - From double play depth will break to second base when ball is bunted.

THIRD BASEMAN - Play 15 feet inside the line. Charge when hitter shows bunt. Retreat to third base if another fielder fields bunt. Cover home if catcher goes to third.

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Bunt Defense • Page

Team Northwest Playbook

Standard Bunt Defense - MEN ON FIRST & SECOND

PITCHER - Come set. Throw a strike. Come forward and have left side responsibility.

CATCHER - Has front of the plate responsibility. Tells fielders where to throw the ball. Must cover third if third baseman fields bunt.

FIRST BASEMAN - Start about 20 feet in front of base. Charge when hitter shows bunt.

SECOND BASEMAN - Cheat toward first base and break hard when hitter shows bunt.

THIRD BASEMAN - Play 10 feet inside base. Watch runner at second for possible early break. If ball is bunted hard past the pitcher then field it and get out at first. Cover home if catcher covers third. If another fielder gets to the bunt quickly then get back to third for possible force out.

SHORTSTOP - Start just behind runner. Break hard to second base after pitcher comes set.

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Bunt Defense • Page

Team Northwest Playbook

Special Sign Bunt Defense - MEN ON FIRST & SECONDWHEEL PLAY

PITCHER - After coming set, he will deliver the ball when he sees “daylight” between runner and shortstop.

CATCHER - Has same responsibility as standard bunt play.

FIRST BASEMAN - Key on pitcher. Charge home when pitcher picks up front leg.

SECOND BASEMAN - Cheat toward first and break to first on pitcher’s move.

SHORTSTOP - After pitcher comes set, take one jab step toward second base, then break hard to third base.

THIRD BASEMAN - Start 10 feet in front of third base. Break toward home as pitcher lifts front leg.

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