Different Types of Bunts in Baseball and How to Do Them

When learning baseball, you typically learn that you have two types of bunts: sacrifice bunts, and bunts for a base hit. In fact, there happen to be a few more kinds of bunts than only those two. I choose to call these kinds of bunts specialty bunts, because they are only put into use in certain circumstances if a player feels it is necessary. All of these bunts are harder to performthan the regular bunt, however, if you execute it properly, it may be worth it big time. These bunts usually are utilized in important circumstances in a baseball game and for that reason they ought to be learned to make certain that if you're actually called upon to perform, you will be able to with certainty.



Drag Bunt: This sort of bunt is generally used by left-handed batters simply because it's a whole lot more effective. Nevertheless, you can certainly make use of this bunt if you're right-handed, however it will not be quite as effective. The goal of this bunt is to get a base hit, not to sacrifice a base runner to the next base. To execute this bunt, you wait until the very last second possible to reveal your intention to bunt and bunt the ball towards the same side of the field as you bat (left-handed hitters to first, right-handed hitters to third). The trick (particularly for left-handed batters) is to start running towards first base as you bunt the ball, which is a whole lot trickier than it appears to be! This movement helps save valuable time and may make the difference between you being called safe and you being called out at first on a bang-bang play.



Push Bunt: Typically, once a bunt is revealed, the second baseman will go to cover first while the pitcher, third baseman, and first baseman all attempt to field the ball. The objective of a push bunt would be to get a hit by bunting the ball hard past the charging fielders towards where the 2nd baseman would usually stand (but bear in mind, he's over covering first base, not covering his typical position). This leaves nobody to field your bunt in time to get you out at first base if you're a decent runner. To execute this bunt, you will need to push the ball as you are bunting it. Usually this is a no-no while bunting as you're supposed to "catch" the ball with the bat, but in this instance you have to put some power on the bunt to get it past the pitchers mound and in the direction of the 2nd base position.



Suicide Squeeze: The goal of the suicide squeeze is to score a runner from third, often performed with one out. With this bunt, you don't care if you're out or safe at first base as long as the runner at third scores. With this bunt, the moment the pitcher commits, the runner at third should break to steal home and after that it is the hitter's responsability to get the bunt down and away from home plate so the runner trying to score can not be tagged out. This bunt is a do-or-die. As the hitter, for you to protect your runner from almost certain doom, you have to get the bunt down, even if it means bunting a bad pitch.



I hope, by learning (and practicing) these kinds of bunts, you will be able to perform them during a game anytime your team requires you to. Although bunting isn't usually the exciting part of batting, it can be if you perform during the right moments. It is all about doing whatever you can to help your team win the game, and bunting is a key component of doing that. Knowing how to bunt properly is a tremendous asset that coaches and scouts look for in a player. Make certain you do not slack off and learn how to bunt well, as it is going to be worth it down the road!



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