Bunting Rules In Hs Baseball

Bunting can be an important part of the strategy employed by any high school baseball coach. However, there are proper occasions to use bunting on your behalf and other times to avoid bunting. These "unwritten" rules of high school baseball have an impact on strategy, as do the written rules of the game.

Foul Bunt With Two Strikes

High school baseball coaches must avoid asking their players to bunt when they have two strikes. Bunting with two strikes is quite risky. If a player fouls off a pitch while attempting to bunt when he has two strikes, the result is that the umpire calls strike three and the batter is out. However, if a batter hits a foul pop up on a bunt and the fielder catches it rather than lets it drop to the ground, the runner may advance at his own risk. If the fielder lets the ball drop, the play is dead. However, you can give the opponent an opportunity to advance if you attempt to make a play.

Bunting With a No-hitter

One of the unwritten rules of baseball that is hotly debated is that it is never proper for a player to try to bunt when the opposing pitcher has a no-hitter. This is baseball etiquette that is espoused at all levels of play. If a pitcher is going into the final two or three innings of a game and has not allowed a hit, the batter should try to hit his way on by swinging at pitches rather than lay down a bunt. However, if the team is tied or down by a run, getting the leadoff man on with a bunt may help you win the game. Under those circumstances, it is not against baseball etiquette to bunt if the pitcher has a no-hitter.

Bunting for a Hit When You Need a Sacrifice

Nothing will get a player in more trouble with his high school coach than a player who tries to bunt for a hit when he is told to sacrifice. On a sacrifice bunt, the player is squaring around to face the pitcher and trying to get his bat on the ball for the sole purpose of advancing the runner. He is not thinking about running hard to first base to beat out the play. He is giving himself up, hence the term sacrifice. A player who attempts to bunt for a hit may not lay down as effective a bunt as one who is sacrificing. If he gets on with a hit, he may give the opponent a chance to set up a double play.

Proper Time to Bunt

It is incumbent on the high school coach to understand the proper time to bunt. A player who reaches first base with no outs has a 43 percent chance to score, while a player who is on second base with one out has a 45 percent chance to cross home plate, according to "Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills." Employing the sacrifice bunt may waste an out in many circumstances. However, if the game is in the later innings and a weak hitter is up, the sacrifice may be in order.