Runner on 2B, 1 out, where who covers 3B on a bunt? What does the Pitcher, 3B, 2B, Catcher do?
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3B, 1B and catcher all go for the bunt. SS covers 3rd and 2B covers first.
Or,
3b covers 3b, pitcher takes 3b line, 1b takes 1b line, ss at 2b, and 2b covers 1b.
I like this one best but I also shake em up.
Bad thing about other play is if you have a decent runner on 2b he can steal third. ss covering 3b on a steal is a very difficult play. If I know 3b is charging and charging hard, I'll call fake bunt and steal. I usually do this after a batter has shown bunt a couple of times and taken a ball or fouled off a pitch. If the 3b keeps charging, I like to steal. Takes a good runner. Very difficult for the ss to get there AND get into position to receive the throw and make the tag. My key when I decide what to do is does the ss cheat toward third. He has to to make this play. That is what I look at on the first two bunt attempts. If he's lazy, we're stealing.
3b covers 3b, pitcher takes 3b line, 1b takes 1b line, ss at 2b, and 2b covers 1b.
I like this one best but I also shake em up.
Bad thing about other play is if you have a decent runner on 2b he can steal third. ss covering 3b on a steal is a very difficult play. If I know 3b is charging and charging hard, I'll call fake bunt and steal. I usually do this after a batter has shown bunt a couple of times and taken a ball or fouled off a pitch. If the 3b keeps charging, I like to steal. Takes a good runner. Very difficult for the ss to get there AND get into position to receive the throw and make the tag. My key when I decide what to do is does the ss cheat toward third. He has to to make this play. That is what I look at on the first two bunt attempts. If he's lazy, we're stealing.
Generally, I would keep it simple with one out. If they want to bunt the runner (who is already in scoring position) over to third, that is fine with me as long as I can get the batter out at first for the seond out. That leaves two outs and my pitcher vs. their batter. I'll take those odds anyday.
You obviously don't want to have the third baseman charge and leave open the opportunity for an easy steal, so you have him play even with the bag (or edge of the grass) and go get the ball after it is bunted. You've got three potential fielders for the bunt (P, 1B, 3B) and thy guy is squaring as if to sacrifice; shouldn't be a difficult play at first base in that situation.
The only way you try to get the runner out at third is if it is a sure thing, otherwise you risk having runners at first and third with still only one out.
This is a simple one, get the second out, then get the third out.
You obviously don't want to have the third baseman charge and leave open the opportunity for an easy steal, so you have him play even with the bag (or edge of the grass) and go get the ball after it is bunted. You've got three potential fielders for the bunt (P, 1B, 3B) and thy guy is squaring as if to sacrifice; shouldn't be a difficult play at first base in that situation.
The only way you try to get the runner out at third is if it is a sure thing, otherwise you risk having runners at first and third with still only one out.
This is a simple one, get the second out, then get the third out.
For my teams we have bunt coverages. Numbers correspond to positions. 15 meaning 3rd and P get bunts and if third fields it catcher covers third, SS goes to 2nd and 2nd baseman backs up 1st. 13 meaning 1st and P get bunts, SS cover 2nd and 2nd baseman covers 1st if 1st baseman fields bunt. 135 3rd, 2nd, and P get bunts. SS covers 3rd, 2nd covers 1st and CF covers 2nd. Now normally with a runner at 3rd you would be in bunt coverage 13. P and 1st should cover the bunt. But if the bunt is hard and forces the 3rd baseman to field it then that play will obviouslly have to go to one but the P should go and cover 3rd base since the 3rd baseman is fielding the bunt. C stays home and SS still goes to 2nd and 2nd baseman is backing up throw.
I always have SS cheat toward third on this scenario. If not, it's a foot race and the runner will be safe a good deal of the tim.
Thanks all for the replies. I think I like ss cheating toward 3b, but as long as we get the out at first then we only need one more out.
You really need at least the two simple rotations as described to keep the other team honest it is really not an either or. Work on both ways different situations and different levels of athleticism especially from the pitcher will dictate what you should do
If I as a coach see a SS cheating towards 3B, I will slash you all day long.
