Bunt Situation

The weekly WHATCHAMACALLIT puts you in the position of a pitcher. What is your response to a bunted ball? A nicely laid bunt likely prevents a play at any base but first. In this case, what is a pitcher to do?

Your WHATCHAMACALLIT of the week is to comment with your answer to each of these two questions:

1. If the bunt is laid down down the left-field line, what fielder has a better chance of getting the out?
2. If the bunt is laid down the right-field line, what fielder has a better chance of getting the out?

Answer:

1. A well placed bunt down the left field line is definitely best handled by the 3rd baseman.  She has the best angle at the ball, and more importantly, the best angle for the throw at first.  And furthermore, the third baseman is standing in the baseline preventing any runners from scoring, just by standing there.

2. Bunts down the first base line are a little more difficult.  Think of it this way: as a pitcher, you can move into fielding position as soon as the ball leaves your fingertips.  A catcher must wait to receive the pitch, or at least until the batter bunts the pitch and runs out of the way.  So though one-in-a-million catchers may be able to jump out and get that bunt rolling down the first base line, it is better decided that the pitcher has to take control.  The pitcher has a slightly better angle than the first baseman, and the pitcher should already be moving in hard as the batter squares for the bunt.  So PITCHERS - be on your toes!  This ball is YOURS!  Catcher - your job is to tell her to keep going after it, and to call which base she should throw at.

Thanks for your first comments girls!  Good job on week one!