HITTING: Laying it Down

Laying it down

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Square around and lay down a sac bunt.

One of the most important phases of the game and probably one of the most poorly executed is bunting. It is an easy task for a batter to lay down a sacrifice bunt for the purpose of advancing a baserunner. However, time and time again it is poorly executed. Players think it is so easy that they fail to be deliberate enough with the bunt. The bat must bunt the ball on the ground to the correct part of the field.

As the pitcher prepares to release the ball the hitter merely pivots on the back foot, turning the body toward the pitcher. He then extends his arms in front of the body, slightly bent at the elbows and with the bat at the top of the strike zone and slightly angled. The placement of the top hand should almost be on the trade mark on the bat and the bottom hand near the end of the bat. The top hand holds the bat between the thumb and top of the index finger, with all fingers bent in toward the palm of the hand. The fingers are very relaxed. The bottom hand held near the end of the bat is the guide hand.

With the ball on the way to the plate, the batter wants to pick out a strike and then put the bat on the ball. As contact is made, he will draw the bat off the ball to deaden the ball in front of the charging infielder. The batter must be very deliberate, watching the ball all the way to the bat. The pivot of the feet allows the body to get to the bunting position without changing the hitting stance. The old-square around bunting stance is fine, but it's problematic because it tips the bunt too quickly. If, however, the player cannot bunt from the hitting stance, it is certainly permissible. Execution is most important.

Reminders:

Get a good pitch to bunt.

Have the bat out in front of the plate; be able to cover the entire plate.

Bend your knees if the pitch is low in strike zone, keeping the bat on top of the ball.

Concentrate on killing the ball to keep it away from a charging fielder, but also far enough away from the catcher.

Know which side of the diamond you are going to direct the ball. With a man on first base, the bunt should be to the first base side. With men on first and second, try to make the third baseman field the bunt.

Remember the sacrifice bunt is for the purpose of advancing the runner. Know your job!

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