Bunt defense

The rules that decide it

• The force on the lead runner is the first look: second base with a runner on first, third base with runners on first and second. First base is the fallback.
• With a runner on second and no force, the out is at first. Freeze the runner with a look, then throw to first.
• Standard coverage: the corners crash (the third baseman stays home with a runner on second), the second baseman covers first and the shortstop covers second.
• The Wheel rotates the infield to get the lead runner at third, with the center fielder covering second. It needs a runner on second; with no force at third, look the runner back and take the out at first. Pitcher-to-third keeps the third baseman home.
• On a squeeze with a runner on third, everything goes home if there is a play; otherwise take the out at first.

Nobody on

• Nobody on, bunt to the first-base sideGet the sure out at first base. With nobody on there is no lead runner, so every move is about getting the ball to first fast and clean.
• Nobody on, bunt to the third-base sideGet the sure out at first base. With nobody on there is no lead runner, so every move is about getting the ball to first fast and clean.
• Nobody on, bunt back to the pitcherGet the sure out at first base. With nobody on there is no lead runner, so the pitcher fields it cleanly and makes a chest-high throw to first.

Runner on first

• Runner on first, bunt to the first-base sideGet the lead runner with the force at second. If the ball was bunted softly or the first baseman had to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Pitcher-to-third coverageRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)Get the lead runner with the force at second; the batter-runner at first is the fallback. In the pitcher-to-third coverage, the first baseman fields this one.
• Runner on first, bunt to the third-base sideGet the lead runner with the force at second. If the ball was bunted softly or the third baseman had to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Pitcher-to-third coverageRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)Get the lead runner with the force at second; the batter-runner at first is the fallback. In the pitcher-to-third coverage, the pitcher owns this ball so the third baseman can stay home.
• Runner on first, bunt back to the pitcherGet the lead runner with the force at second. If the ball was bunted softly or the pitcher had to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Pitcher-to-third coverageRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher (Pitcher-to-third coverage)Get the lead runner with the force at second; the batter-runner at first is the fallback. In the pitcher-to-third coverage, the mound and the whole line are the pitcher's.

Runner on second

• Runner on second, bunt to the first-base sideGet the out at first. There is no force on the runner at second, so field the bunt, look him back to second and take the batter-runner at first. Third only gets a throw if he keeps going anyway.
• Wheel coverageRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)Get the out at first without giving up third. With only a runner on second there's no force at third, so the fielder looks the runner back to second, then takes the sure out at first.
• Runner on second, bunt to the third-base sideGet the out at first. There is no force on the runner at second, so field the bunt, look him back to second and take the batter-runner at first. Third only gets a throw if he keeps going anyway.
• Wheel coverageRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)Get the out at first without giving up third. With only a runner on second there's no force at third, so the fielder looks the runner back to second, then takes the sure out at first.
• Runner on second, bunt back to the pitcherGet the out at first. There is no force on the runner at second, so field the bunt, look him back to second and take the batter-runner at first. Third only gets a throw if he keeps going anyway.
• Wheel coverageRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)Get the out at first without giving up third. With only a runner on second there's no force at third, so the fielder looks the runner back to second, then takes the sure out at first.

Runners on first and second

• Runners on first and second, bunt to the first-base sideGet the lead runner: the runner from second is forced at third. If the ball is bunted softly or the fielder has to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Wheel coverageRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)Get the lead runner: the shortstop rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman for the force. If he can't beat the runner there, the catcher calls "One!" and the sure out is at first.
• Runners on first and second, bunt to the third-base sideGet the lead runner: the runner from second is forced at third. If the ball is bunted softly or the fielder has to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Wheel coverageRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)Get the lead runner: the shortstop rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman for the force. If he can't beat the runner there, the catcher calls "One!" and the sure out is at first.
• Runners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcherGet the lead runner: the runner from second is forced at third. If the ball is bunted softly or the fielder has to come a long way, take the sure out at first.
• Wheel coverageRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)Get the lead runner: the shortstop rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman for the force. If he can't beat the runner there, the catcher calls "One!" and the sure out is at first.

Runner on third

• SqueezeRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the first-base sideKeep the run off the board. Get the runner at the plate if there is a play; if he isn't going or has it beaten, take the sure out at first.
• SqueezeRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the third-base sideKeep the run off the board. Get the runner at the plate if there is a play; if he isn't going or has it beaten, take the sure out at first.
• SqueezeRunner on third, squeeze bunt back to the pitcherKeep the run off the board. Get the runner at the plate if there is a play; if he isn't going or has it beaten, take the sure out at first.

More situations

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