When you first learn the game of baseball, you generally learn that you have two types of hits: sacrifice hits and hits for a base hit. In fact, there are a few more types of touches than just those two. I like to call these kinds of touches specialty touches, because they are only used in some specific situations if a player feels it is necessary. These touches are not as easy to perform as normal touches, however, if performed correctly, it can pay off in a big way. These types of touches tend to be used in very important situations during a game and therefore need to be mastered so that if you are ever asked to perform, you can do so with certainty.
Drag Bunt – This particular touch is used primarily by left-handed hitters primarily because it is so much more effective. However, you can certainly make use of this touch if you are right-handed, but it will not be as effective. The point of the drag tag is to get to the base, not to sacrifice a base runner to the next base. To make this bunt, you must wait until the last possible fraction of a second to reveal your intention to bunt and hit the ball to the same side you are hitting (left-handed batters next to first base, right-handed batters next to third base). base). The trick (particularly for left-handed hitters) is to start running in the direction of first base while touching the ball, which is much more difficult than it sounds! This move helps save valuable time and can make the difference between being safe and out on first base on a tight play.
Pushing Touch: Typically, as soon as a tag is shown, second baseman will go and cover first base while the pitcher, third baseman, and first baseman attempt to field the ball. The goal of a push bunt is to land a base hit by hitting the ball hard past the fielders charging toward where second base would normally be (but note that you are covering first base, not covering your typical location) . This leaves no one to filter your touch in time to get you out of first base if you’re a decent average running back. To perform this touch, you must push the ball while doing it. Normally this is a no-no while bunting because you are supposed to “catch” the ball with the bat, but in this case you need to put some power into the bunt to get it past the pitcher’s mound and into the ball. second base position.
Suicidal Squeeze: The goal of the suicide squeeze would be to score a base runner from third base, usually performed with one out. With this touch, you don’t care if you’re called out or if you’re safe at first, as long as the runner at third base scores. With this play, when the pitcher commits, the base runner on third must break to steal home plate and after that it is the batter’s job to bunt preferably off the plate so that the base runner trying to score cannot be eliminated. This touch is a life or death. As a hitter, in an effort to protect your base runner from near-certain fatality, you need to bunt, even if it means hitting a bad pitch.
Hopefully, by knowing (and practicing) these different types of touches, you will be able to perform them during a game when your team needs it. While bunting isn’t usually the exciting part of hitting, it can be if you execute it at the right times. It’s about doing what you can to help your team win the game, and bunting is an important part of achieving that. Being able to play correctly is a huge advantage that coaches and scouts try to find in a player. Make sure you don’t loosen up and learn to play properly as it will pay off later!