As a coach, what would you do in this situation?

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Cinci - that's the same question I would ask about bunting. Why wait until it's do or die? I also agree 100% with you about "putting away the coaching book". Fastpitch is a poker game. You NEVER show your hand. But in this particular situation, sometimes you just don't have the experienced hitters to give you options. From a defensive standpoint, you KNOW the bunt's coming - you just hope your infield executes.

Since this was a high school game (vs travel), I'd still bet on the odds of a batter getting a bunt down over swinging away - unless it's the 3 or 4 hole. Beyond that, it's sheer suicide.

 

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Bunt is the play

 

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Don't have time to "look it up" & copy the rule from the book but the reader's digest version is, "You get 3 defensive conferences per game before you must make a change". Put another way, you must make a change on the 3rd trip (per game) - note: fastpitch is not tied to "per inning" ... hope that helps.

I'm pretty sure you get three, then need to make a change on your 4th. Just happened this weekend, and as long as the umps had it right, it is right. As for extra's, I don't know?

As for the situation, it depends on whether the pitcher was getting batted outs or K's. If she was striking everyone out, then a bunt is probably my option. If they were putting balls in play, then let 'em hit. One kink in the armor may undo a great pitching performance. Also depends on the hitter. Had a girl this weekend popping things up during a game, and came up with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, down two, late in game. I asked her if she could put something in the left-center gap, or should I bunt her? (they were overplaying to the right side of the outfield). She gave me a smile and said "let me hit". I did, double in the left-center gap, scoring two, and she ended up scoring the winning run later. It's always 20/20 vision after the game, just ask your parents!

 

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I'm pretty sure you get three, then need to make a change on your 4th. Just happened this weekend, and as long as the umps had it right, it is right. As for extra's, I don't know?

As for the situation, it depends on whether the pitcher was getting batted outs or K's. If she was striking everyone out, then a bunt is probably my option. If they were putting balls in play, then let 'em hit. One kink in the armor may undo a great pitching performance. Also depends on the hitter. Had a girl this weekend popping things up during a game, and came up with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, down two, late in game. I asked her if she could put something in the left-center gap, or should I bunt her? (they were overplaying to the right side of the outfield). She gave me a smile and said "let me hit". I did, double in the left-center gap, scoring two, and she ended up scoring the winning run later. It's always 20/20 vision after the game, just ask your parents!

Good job up in Parma this weekend!

 

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Bunt her to 3rd base...Suicide Squeeze....Game over!

 

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Good job up in Parma this weekend!

Thanks -the players showed a lot of heart!