Runner on third, squeeze bunt back to the pitcher

How the play works

On a squeeze the runner on third goes on the pitch. In the Squeeze coverage the pitcher and both corners charge, the catcher stays at the plate for the tag, the second baseman covers first and the shortstop covers second. A bunt back to the pitcher dies in front of the mound: he fields it and goes home if there is a play, otherwise across to first.

Key questions

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

The pitcher. He charges the instant the bunt is down, because the runner is already coming, and a bare-handed pick is fine when he is close.

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

Home, if there is a play on the runner: an underhand flip from inside 20 feet, a firm throw from farther out. If the runner isn't going or has it beaten, the throw goes across to first. See squeeze play.

What does the catcher do on a squeeze bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on third?

He stays at the plate for the tag. He sets up in fair territory in front of the plate until the ball arrives, and blocks the plate only once he has it, then makes the tag. If there was no play at home, he makes sure the out at first is made.

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

The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. He straddles first for the throw across and makes the sure out.

What should the pitcher do if the runner breaks early on a squeeze bunt back to the pitcher with a runner on third?

Throw a pitch-out high and away so the catcher can tag him. The squeeze is decided by the runner's break; once the ball is down, the only question is whether there is a play at the plate.

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

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; the second baseman is there if he can't get back.

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 home or first · Every pitcher play

   Charge the instant the bunt is down; the runner is already coming. Field it clean, and a bare-handed pick is fine when you’re close. If you can look the runner back to third or get him at the plate, take that out: an underhand flip if you’re inside 20 feet, a firm throw if you’re not. If he isn’t going, or has it beaten, throw across to first. Then stay out of the runner’s lane and the catcher’s way, and if the throw went to first, cover the plate area in case the ball gets away.

2. C

   Catcher

   Stays home for the tag · Every catcher play

   Stay at the plate: the runner is coming on the pitch. If he breaks early, call for the pitch-out and tag him. On the bunt, set up in fair territory in front of the plate and give the fielder a target. Take the throw, and block the plate only once you have the ball, then make the tag. If there was no play at the plate, make sure the out at first is made and keep the batter-runner from taking second.

3. 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 for the throw across. Stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher. If the first baseman doesn’t crash, hold your position and keep the batter-runner from taking second.

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 home. 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

   Charges the third-base side · Every third baseman play

   Charge the instant the batter shows bunt, with the pitcher and the first baseman, and field anything on your side of the mound. If you field it, throw home. If not, get out of the fielder’s way and stay out of the runner’s lane.

6. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop play

   Get to second and straddle the bag. Repeat the catcher’s call, and if a runner rounds second too far, yell “Backdoor!” 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. 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.

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. On the squeeze all three crash — the pitcher, the first baseman and the third baseman. Nobody goes back to cover third; the left fielder backs it up.
2. The squeeze is decided by the runner’s break. If he leaves early, pitch out and tag him; once the ball is down, the only question is whether there is a play at the plate.
3. Speed beats a clean grip here: a bare-handed flip from close range gets the ball home faster than a glove pick and a set.

Test yourself

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

1. Squeeze coverage: who charges, and where is the catcher?

   1. A.The pitcher and both corners charge; the catcher stays at the plate
   2. B.Nobody charges; everyone holds a base and waits
   3. C.Both corners and the catcher charge; the pitcher covers home
   4. D.Only the pitcher charges; the catcher fields anything in front
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The pitcher and both corners charge; the catcher stays at the plate. The pitcher and both corners charge; the catcher stays at the plate for the tag.

2. Squeeze: the runner breaks early. What do you do?

   1. A.Throw your best strike to the batter
   2. B.Throw it in the dirt so it can’t be bunted
   3. C.Throw a slow change-up
   4. D.Pitch out and tag him
   Show the answerHide the answer

   B. Throw it in the dirt so it can’t be bunted. Pitch out and tag him.

3. Squeeze: where does the throw go?

   1. A.Home if there’s a play; otherwise the out at first
   2. B.First every time — the run will score anyway
   3. C.Home every time, no matter what
   4. D.Second, to keep the batter-runner from advancing
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. Home if there’s a play; otherwise the out at first.

4. Squeeze situation. How do you pitch?

   1. A.From the windup: low and away to everyone
   2. B.From the stretch: up and away to lefties, up and in to righties
   3. C.From the stretch: low and in to lefties, low and away to righties
   4. D.From the windup: curveballs in the dirt
   Show the answerHide the answer

   B. From the stretch: up and away to lefties, up and in to righties.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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