Runner on second, bunt back to the pitcher

How the play works

A bunt back to the pitcher dies in front of the mound, and with a runner on second it is his ball. He fields it, freezes the runner with a hard look and throws to the second baseman covering first. The third baseman stays home on third, the shortstop covers second and the outfielders come in to back up every base.

Key questions

Who fields a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

The pitcher. He attacks it the instant it is down, fields it with two hands and listens for the catcher's call.

Where does the throw go on a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

To first base, for the sure out. The pitcher looks the runner back to second first, because a hard look freezes him, then throws chest high to the inside of the bag.

Who covers third base on a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

The third baseman. In the Standard bunt defense with a runner on second he stays home, sets up on the bag and tags any runner who tries to advance.

Who covers first base on a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. He straddles the bag facing the pitcher, gives him a target and makes the sure out, stretching to the ball without coming off the bag.

What does the first baseman do on a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

He charges hard and fields anything on his side of the mound. If the pitcher has it, he gets out of the way, then retreats to first if it is open.

Why is the out at first on a bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on second?

Because with only a runner on second there is no force at third. The ideal is a bunt you reach quickly, a look that freezes the runner at second, then the throw to first. Third only gets a throw if the runner keeps going anyway.

Every position's job

Every fielder has a job on this play, even when the ball never comes near him.

1. P

   Pitcher

   Fields it, throws to first · Every pitcher play

   Attack the bunt the instant it’s down. Field it with two hands and listen for the catcher’s call. Look the runner back to second first, because a hard look freezes him, then throw to first, chest high, to the inside of the bag. Make the sure out. After the throw, get off the baseline, find the lead runner and be ready to cover a base if the play goes on.

2. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers first · Every second baseman play

   Cover first as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. Straddle the bag, facing the fielder, and give him a target. Take the throw and make the sure force out, stretching to the ball, never off the bag. Then check the lead runner and get the ball to the pitcher. If the first baseman doesn’t crash, hold your position and keep the batter-runner from taking second.

3. C

   Catcher

   Calls "One!" · Every catcher play

   Field the bunt if it’s in front of the plate. Otherwise make the call, loud, early and once: point to first and call “One!” Then back up the throw, return to the plate and cover it, and watch the lead runner.

4. 1B

   First baseman

   Charges the right side · Every first baseman play

   Charge hard and field anything on your side of the mound. If you field it, throw to first. If it isn’t yours, get out of the fielder’s way. Then retreat to first if it’s open; the second baseman is there if you can’t get back.

5. 3B

   Third baseman

   Stays home at third · Every third baseman play

   Stay home: get to third and set up on the bag. The pitcher owns the left side, so your job is to cover third for a redirected throw. Stay on the bag until the ball is dead, and tag any runner who tries to advance.

6. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop play

   Get to second and straddle the bag. Cover it for a redirected throw and keep any runner from taking second for free. Stay on the bag until the ball is dead.

7. CF

   Center fielder

   Reads the play behind second · Every center fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come straight in behind second, reading the play in front of you. If anything is thrown to second, you’re the backup. The moment the ball goes across the diamond to first, break toward left field: now you’re backing up the throw from first to second on a backdoor play. Hold your spot until the ball is dead, then jog back out.

8. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up first · Every right fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt, with the corners, and come in to back up first. Line up behind the bag on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

9. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up third · Every left fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt, with the corners, and come in to back up third. Line up behind the bag on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

Coaching points

1. The sure out is at first. With no force at third, the fielder looks the runner back to second, then throws to first. Third only gets a throw if the runner keeps going anyway.
2. A bunt defense is decided before the pitch: everyone knows who crashes, who covers and who calls. The ball only tells you which of the three fielders picks it up.
3. With a runner on second the pitcher owns the left side and the first baseman the right. The third baseman stays home and fields only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher.

Test yourself

Questions from the app's Learn sessions. Pick your answer, then check it.

1. Runner on second only, bunt. Where is the out?

   1. A.At first — throw right away, no look
   2. B.At second — throw behind the runner
   3. C.At third — always get the lead runner
   4. D.At first — look the runner back to second, then throw
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. At first — look the runner back to second, then throw. At first. Field it, look the runner back to second, then throw to first. Third only if he keeps going.

2. Runner on second (alone or with first): who owns which side of the infield on a bunt?

   1. A.Pitcher the right side, third baseman the left; first baseman stays home
   2. B.Pitcher the left side, first baseman the right; third baseman stays home
   3. C.Catcher everything in front; both corners crash
   4. D.Third baseman the left, first baseman the right; pitcher the middle
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   B. Pitcher the left side, first baseman the right; third baseman stays home. The pitcher owns the left side, the first baseman the right. The third baseman stays home.

3. Runner on second: when does the third baseman field a bunt?

   1. A.Anything bunted toward the third-base side
   2. B.Only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line
   3. C.Only a soft bunt right in front of the plate
   4. D.Every bunt, so the pitcher can cover third
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   B. Only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line. Only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line — and then his throw is to first, or a fake and a backdoor.

4. Sacrifice bunt coming, runner on second. Where do you pitch?

   1. A.Jam a righty high; low and away to a lefty
   2. B.Away to a righty; jam a lefty
   3. C.Fastballs right down the middle
   4. D.Low curveballs to everyone
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   B. Away to a righty; jam a lefty.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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