The sacrifice bunt is used primarily to advance baserunners, but it is possible for it to score or at least put yourself in scoring position. A sacrifice bunt is not a surprise and should be shown early. Showing the bunt early will usually bring first and third basemen closer to home plate. With no one holding the baserunners, they can now take a slightly bigger lead. Now, when bunt is established and a play is made to get the batter out, runners can advance or even score if they are on third. If the fielders can’t make a play or keep the runners on base, this is also to your advantage because you now have at least two runners on base.
The drag bunt is slightly different in that you’re trying to trick the defense and bunt for a base hit. A drag bunt, unlike the sacrifice, should surprise the defense, so you don’t want to show off a bunt too early. Instead, you want to wait until the last possible moment. This keeps first and third basemen further away from the plate, giving them more ground to cover to make a play. If there are no runners on the base, it is better to touch the third base line because it is the most difficult play for the defense. However, if there is a runner on third, bunting the ball down the first base line is optimal for getting the defense to make the decision to either get the out on first or keep the runner on third allowing the batter to bunt a base hit.
Bunting is a great offensive tool for moving runners, scoring runs, and you can win a game! Bunting puts the team’s goals first, but can bunt for base hits increasing his personal versatility at the plate. Every ballplayer needs to know how to play. Here are some tips to help you learn to play properly and effectively.
Tip #1: Visualize the touch! All great players envision success before it happens. See yourself leaving the bunt before stepping into the batter’s box. Having your mind in the right mindset will always give you an advantage.
Tip #2: Move to the front of the batter’s box. You want the head/barrel of the bat to face the plate. This is in case the ball goes straight down, you will still have a fair ball and a tough play for the defense to make.
Tip #3: Hold the bat correctly. Hold the head/barrel of the bat up and out in front of home plate. Hold the handle of the bat slightly lower than the head/barrel. This will help you make sure you are on top of the ball and driving it down. You don’t want to be under the ball and throw it for an out. Your hands should be apart for better control. Your bottom hand should be firmly around the knob of the bat and your top hand (bat between thumb and forefinger) just below the head or barrel of the bat.
Tip #4: Use your body/legs when adjusting the level of the bat (up and down) to make contact with the ball. Don’t use your hands! The use of the hands is likely to result in an apparition.
Tip #5: Play only strikes. Pull the bat back out of the strike zone on bad pitches, touching a bad pitch will likely result in you jumping, fouling the ball, or receiving a called strike when you miss.
Tip #6: Catch the ball with your bat. Don’t try to push the bat into the ball.
