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How To Bunt The Right Way

By Jeff Wise | October 21, 2011

how to buntFor dads and coaches out there looking to teach kids baseball hitting, do not forget teaching how to bunt because it’s more a part of the game than you think.

I just watched a game last night where a few missed bunts cost his team the opportunity to go ahead of the other team and secure a win. Instead, he missed several bunt attempts and struck out standing a runner who never scored.

The other team took that momentum and scored two in the top of the ninth and went on to win the game.

All hitters should be able and ready to lay down a bunt when needed. Would I bunt with the clean-up hitter if there was a runner on second base and no outs? No, but I still want to teach all my hitters how to bunt.

If you don’t prep all your hitters to bunt then they’ll feel a little inadequate once they start college ball. I’ve seen tons of number three and four hitters enter college and end up batting eighth and ninth in the line-up. They better know how to bunt.

How To Bunt – The Basics

When setting up to bunt, position the bat 45 degrees in front of the plate in fair territory with your knees slightly bent. As the ball is pitched, bring the bat down so that it’s perpendicular to the plate.

When the ball arrives you will push your hands and arms into the pitch. I never stood up there and just held the bat and let the ball hit it by chance.

You may have to adjust up, down, left or right depending on where the ball is pitched. Most of the time when someone just holds the bat still the ball is fouled.

There are two styles of laying down a sacrifice bunt. One way is to pivot on the balls of your feet or square around as the pitcher starts his wind-up.

The whole idea is to bunt the ball where it rolls slowly into fair territory either down the first base line or third base line. If you bunt it straight to the pitcher then he’ll have a good shot at throwing the other runner out.

It would be ideal to bunt the ball 10 to 12 feet on the ground. Avoid bunting high pitches because you’ll just pop out.

How To Bunt – It Can Only Make You Better

Sacrifice bunting won’t hurt your batting average and is one of the most appreciated plays in baseball. Most teammates and coaches are very grateful you’ve given up yourself for the better of the team.

You’ll always get high fives and that’s a really good feeling. Another good feeling is when dads and coaches teach their kids how to bunt because you’ve just equipped them with a skill that can be used for years to come.

Topics: basball batting tips, baseball, baseball batting tips, baseball bunting, baseball hitting, baseball hitting mechanics, baseball hitting tips, bunting practice, bunting technique, bunting techniques | No Comments »

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