Who should get the bunt?

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This seems to vary from coach to coach...but on a bunt, who really should get it - the catcher, the pitcher, or otherwise?

 

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Where did the bunt go?

 

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On a bunt towards 3rd, I always like the first basemen to field the ball.

sorry couldn't resist

 

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In this particular case the bunt was out in front of homeplate, but the pitcher got there a bit before the catcher and basically they "fought" over it and it cost valuable time to get an out...

 

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Sounds to me like it's the catcher's ball. They have a better view of the situation and probably a more accurate arm to make the throw. Yeah, my kid's a catcher

 

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What age level is this? We start teaching the girls at 10u to call the ball, but they have to have confidence in each other. Typically the pitcher would let the catcher have the ball if it is that close. The catcher has the momentum toward the play.

 

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The most important thing in a bunt is "COMMUNICATION"!!! Every infielder has a responsibility during a bunt, and if communication is good, bunt coverage will be successful. Without it, doesn't really matter who is responsible for the bunt.

Bottom line......It's anyones ball, but who communicates first should take it.

 

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It's 14U. And two things about this situation...one, the catcher was slower to move in this instance than the pitcher and two, the pitcher had already called the catcher off but the catcher still took the ball.

 

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Where did the bunt go?

lol ;D

 

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It's 14U. ?And two things about this situation...one, the catcher was slower to move in this instance than the pitcher and two, the pitcher had already called the catcher off but the catcher still took the ball.

Is your kid the pitcher? ;D

 

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its definetly the catchers ball. she's got momentum towards the play where she'll be making her throw. she needs to call the pitcher off though.

 

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Need more info people on base/ number of outs? Bases loaded I am going to guess the catcher should be covering the plate Agree communication is the key.

 

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On our 12U team we teach that it is the catchers ball. however in this situation the catcher was slow to respond and the pitcher called off the catcher therefore it should have been the pitcher. You also need to consider other factors, number of outs, how many on base and where.

 

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The rule on the bunt is no different than the rule on a fly ball. All players assigned should hustle to the ball with the closest calling mine. In case of a multiple call or a miss call by a player, another player (usually the pitcher) will call a players name as a tie breaker.

Did they get the out on the play?

 

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Yes, my daughter is the pitcher...but several parents were asking the same question. The bases were loaded and the exact situation happened twice in the same game with the bases loaded and only 1 out each time. And no, they didn't get the out either time. They did win that game though.

I appreciate everyone's input. My daughter was taught in her rec. league that it was hers if she can get to it fast enough, but it seems to be the catchers play in school ball and travel ball. Thanks again for your responses.

 

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It would seem to me you want the catcher covering home to get the force and save the run. The catcher should know this and be calling the play so she knows where the ball is coming from and should be able to see who has the best and quickest path to the ball to make the play . Then she should be looking 4 to 1 and hopefully get a dp.

 

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In that situation, the catcher should have grabbed the ball, then dove back to the plate, tapped the plate with the ball, and, ;D from her back, fired a bullet to first for the double play. Either that, or she should have stood with a foot on the plate while the pitcher shoveled the ball to her for the force.

 

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Nice one, playedout---very dramatic, I can picture it now, lol. ? ;D

Guess my question is---if it's a bunt toward 3rd, why doesn't the third baseman scoop it up and toss it home or rocket it to first? ?:-/

 

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Catcher is the QB and calls the plays in the infield, Center Fielder is the QB and calls the plays in the outfield. These two positions should be very vocal, and call the plays. I would think in this situation (bases loaded with bunt) the catcher should have been calling "4, 4, 4!" leaving no doubt where the play was to be made. Infield = home, outfield = either 3rd or possibly home, or a cut throw to hold the runners. Of course, there is no substitute for kids who have played together for several years, and work/communicate well with each other.

The coach should pencil this into his notebook for a "point of emphasis" at the next practice.

 

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it always worked well if we had the pitcher get the balls that come straight back toward the mound, corners get the bunt to either side and the catcher gets the ones in front of the plate.

The situation you described however should be practiced because it may have even been a squeeze play which makes even more pressure on everyone to do the right thing. without knowing how far out the bunt came it is hard to say but in a pressure situation it is normally easier to avoid a throw so the same person gets the ball and makes the out. adding a throw would take more time - a side toss or toss practice in a situation like that would be helpful. if it was out pretty far and the catcher got it the corners would need to practice covering or backing up the catcher at home.