I know I know, a vital part of small ball and baseball period. I still don't like it. I'd much rather use the bunt as a base hit when no one is expecting it rather than as a sacrafice when a long fly that has a shot to get out will do the same thing. I will never be a fan of the sac bunt. Ever, ever. Sorry Okie and nootch, I know this pains you both being the baseball junkies that you are. lol
Let me splain it to you then. If you are going to lay down a bunt to move a guy from first to second and give up the guy at the plate, why not let him swing away? If he hits one to the warning track and it gets caught the guy still moves from 1st to 2nd. Maybe he doesn't catch it and they both get on base? Maybe it goes over the fence and they both score. Who knows, the one sure thing about a sac bunt is someone is going to be OUT. Sure, there are a thousand "IF's" but IF birds had machine guns, cats wouldn't ef with them. :grin:
Well lets look at an example. CWS vs UNC part 2... 3rd innning (I think) first two on for the Tigers with Landry coming to the plate. Now 1.) Landry did not hit the ball well during the whole CWS 2.) he has some pretty decent wheels. Now you SAC bunt him move the guys to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Helenihi comes up and hits the ball to 2nd. Good chance that the runner from 3rd would have scored and the runner from 2nd would now be in scoring position with 2 outs. Instead Landry flies out to 1st, runners do not advance, we have 1 out with a double play to get out of the inning, and you know what happened. Baseball is a game of odds and you have a better chance to score with men on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out then men on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. I love the long ball as much as the next person, but you have to be able to manufacture runs to win ball games. I am a baseball purist and I think the DH is a travesty to the game of baseball, and I pray every night that instant replay never gets in play. My 2 cents.
99% of the time, you are NOT going to move a runner from first to second with a fly ball...I don't care HOW deep you hit it if it stays in the yard. 65% of the time...or greater...you're not going to move a man from second to third. But that's not as important as getting a man to second. So you're right in that the bunts put more pressure on the defense...much better chance of getting a man in scoring position.
Its called the fundamentals of baseball...been around for over 100 years. The greatest managers and the greatest minds in baseball execute this play with little thought. You bunt the guy over to 2nd with less two outs to have a runner in scoring position and to stay out of the double play. However, there are obviously situations when you do not do this such as when you are down big late in the game, up big late in the game, or your number 3,4,5 guys are up...etc. Also, the opposing pitcher has some say in this as well...especially if you are facing a sinker ball pitcher such as Bradford, its a no brainier. Its all really pretty simple.
Alright shane, here we go: as already stated, taking 2nd on a fly ball is difficult as all hell. Also, when the guy is swinging away, here's what could happen positive: basehit flyball out(with successful tag up) homerun negative: double play ground ball lineout to 1st baseman (double play) pop up flyball (no tag up) strike out strike'em out/throw 'em out double play ground out (only get 1 out) Chances are, it ain't one of the positives that's gonna happen now when you bunt him over. positive: succesful sacrifice bunt safely (both runners safe) negative: strikeout pop up VERY RARELY double play odds are MUCH more in your favor this way. Like was also said, the situation determines whether or not to use it. In the right situations, it's the ONLY call to make.
