Runner on second, bunt to the third-base side

How the play works

With a runner on second, the Standard bunt defense keeps the third baseman at home and gives the whole left side to the pitcher. On a bunt toward third the pitcher comes off the mound, fields it, freezes the runner with a hard look and throws to the second baseman covering first. The first baseman charges his side, the shortstop covers second and the outfielders come in to back up.

Key questions

Who fields a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

The pitcher. With a runner on second the pitcher owns the left side of the field and the first baseman the right, so the third baseman can stay on his bag.

Does the third baseman charge a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

No. He stays home and covers third. He fields only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line, and then his play is first, or a fake and a backdoor.

Where does the throw go on a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

To first base. There is no force at third, so the pitcher looks the runner back to second, then throws to first, chest high, to the inside of the bag.

Who covers first base on a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. The first baseman has charged, so the second baseman straddles first, faces the fielder and gives him a target.

When should the pitcher throw to third on a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

Only when the ball is bunted hard at him and the third baseman is already on the bag. Otherwise he takes the sure out at first. The lead runner is a bonus, not the plan.

Who backs up third base on a bunt to the third-base side with a runner on second?

The left fielder. He breaks when the batter shows bunt and lines up 30 to 40 feet behind third on the throwing line. See backing up.

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. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

   B. Catcher everything in front; both corners crash. 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.Away to a righty; jam a lefty
   2. B.Jam a righty high; low and away to a lefty
   3. C.Low curveballs to everyone
   4. D.Fastballs right down the middle
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   B. Jam a righty high; low and away to a lefty. Away to a righty; jam a lefty.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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