When you first learn the game of baseball, you generally learn that you have two types of bunts: sacrifice bunts and base hit bunts. In fact, there are a few more touch types than just those two. I like to call these types of touches special touches, because they are only used in a few specific situations if a player feels it is necessary. These touches are not as easy to execute as the normal touch, however, if executed correctly, they can give good results. These types of touches tend to be used in very important situations during a game, and therefore need to be mastered so that if you are ever called upon to perform, you can do so with certainty.
Drag bunt – This particular bunt is widely used by left handed hitters mainly because it is so much more effective. However, you can certainly make use of this touch if you are right-handed, however it will not be as effective. The goal of the bunt bunt is to get on base, not to sacrifice a baserunner to the next base. To make this bunt, you must wait until the last possible fraction of a second to reveal your bunt intent and bunt the ball to the same side you are batting (left-handed hitters to the first-base side, right-handed hitters to the side). side of third base). The trick (particularly for left-handed hitters) is to start running in the direction of first base as he touches the ball, which is a lot harder than it sounds! This move helps save valuable time and can mean the difference between being safe and getting out on first base on a close play.
Push Bunt – Usually as soon as a bunt is shown, the second baseman will go and cover first base while the pitcher, 3rd baseman, and 1st baseman all try to field the ball. The goal of a push bunt is to get a hit by bunting the ball hard past charging fielders to where the second baseman would normally be (but note that you’re covering first base too much, not covering its typical placement). This leaves no one to field your bunt in time to get you out at first base if you’re a halfway decent runner. To perform this touch, you must push the ball while you are touching it. Normally this is a no-no during the bunt because you’re supposed to “catch” the ball with the bat, but in this case you need to put some force into the bunt to get past the pitcher’s mound and into second base. base.
Suicide squeeze: The goal of the suicide squeeze would be to score a baserunner from third base, usually done with one out. With this bunt, you don’t care if you’re called out or safe at first, as long as the runner on third base scores. With this play, when the pitcher commits, the baserunner on third must break to steal home and then it’s the batter’s job to get the bunt off the plate so the baserunner trying to score can’t be put out. This touch is life or death. As a hitter, in an effort to protect his baserunner from almost certain death, he must make the bunt, even if it means bunting a bad pitch.
Hopefully, by knowing (and practicing) these different types of touches, you’ll be able to perform them during a game whenever your team needs it. While bunt isn’t usually the exciting part of hitting, it can be if you hit it at the right times. It’s about doing what you can to help your team win the game, and bunting is an important part of doing that. Being able to touch correctly is a huge advantage that coaches and scouts try to find in a player. Make sure you don’t slack off and learn to play properly as it will pay off later on!
