A bunt is primarily used to advance a runner in a baseball game. There are several types of bunts depending on their specific purpose and aim, and one of them is the “safety bunt.”
You may hear this term during baseball broadcasts, but what exactly is a safety bunt?
Here we will introduce an overview of safety bunts and tips for making them successful.
【table of contents】
■What is a safety bunt?
■Tips for deciding on a safety bunt
・The first thing to do is to look at the other person carefully.
-Keep your usual form as much as possible
・Basically aim near the line.
・Put out the bat with the image of grabbing the ball.
・Use it in situations where it is difficult to be alerted.
■It is important to train basic bunt techniques
■What is a safety bunt?
A bunt is a play in which you intentionally hit a grounder by laying the bat in the strike zone instead of swinging it. The names change depending on the situation and purpose; a bunt that advances the runners on 1st and 2nd base is called a “feedback bunt,” and a bunt that aims to score by keeping the runner on 3rd base alive is called a “squeeze.”
Although the names are different, both are strategies to advance the runner on the assumption that the batter himself will be out.
On the other hand, a safety bunt is a bunt performed by the batter himself for the purpose of getting on base. Unlike bunts and squeezes, it can also be performed without a runner.
If a bunt is successful, it will be recorded as a “sacrifice hit” and the number of at-bats will not increase, but a safety bunt is also unique in that the number of at-bats will increase whether it is a success or a failure.
However, there is no clear difference in play between a safety bunt and a sending bunt. It’s a play that’s hard to tell when there are runners, such as when he intended to make a send bunt but instead ended up bunting a safety bunt.
■Tips for deciding on a safety bunt
A safety bunt is a play in which the player hits a loose ground ball into the infield and aims to get on base. Basically, it’s easier to target players who are fast or left-handed batters who are a little closer to first base, but that alone doesn’t guarantee success.
In order to successfully perform a safety bunt, you need to know how to aim in addition to being fast on your feet. Here are five tips for making a successful safety bunt.
・The first thing to do is to look at the other person carefully.
In order to successfully perform a safety bunt, advance preparation before stepping into the at-bat is essential. First, take a close look at your opponent’s pitcher and defensive formation.
For example, if you have a runner on third base and the infield is playing forward defense, there is a high chance that you will be out even if you bunt.
It is also important to understand the other person’s habits. If you understand that third basemen tend to be slow to react to the ball, and pitchers tend to move their bodies toward first base after pitching, it will be easier to judge where to roll the ball.
-Keep your usual form as much as possible
A safety bunt is a play where the success rate drops significantly once the opponent detects the bunt. It is also important to not let your opponent know that you are aiming for a safety bunt.
To avoid being noticed when you bunt, try to maintain your hitting form for as long as possible before moving into a bunt stance.
The key is to get into a bunt stance while moving your feet in the same way you would when aiming for a hit. If you lean forward and start running towards 1st base when you hit the ball, the time it takes to reach 1st base will be a little shorter, increasing your chance of being safe.
・Basically aim near the line.
Where you roll the ball is also important. Even if you roll the ball directly in front of the pitcher or catcher, it will be dealt with immediately and you will be thrown out.
It depends on the skill of the opposing player and the defensive formation, but basically, aim for the edge of the third base line and roll the ball. If you can delay the third baseman’s reaction or confuse him in deciding whether the ball is fair or foul when he hits the ball close to the line, the chances of it being a safety increase.
However, if there is a good defensive player on 3rd base or a forward defenseman, it may be an out even if you roll it to the 3rd base line.
In such situations, strategies such as aiming for the first base line like a first baseman catching the ball and delaying base coverage, or aiming between the infielders with a push bunt (a bunt in which the ball is pushed out and rolled) are effective.
The important thing is not to let the pitcher catch the ball. Once the pitcher catches the ball, there’s a very good chance he’ll be out.
Visualize the course you are aiming for in advance, and be conscious of rolling the ball there.
・Put out the bat with the image of grabbing the ball.
Basically, when making a safety bunt, you need to lean forward and hit the ball. Unlike normal batting, you will be in a state where your posture is a little off, so you won’t be able to hit the ball properly as it is.
When hitting a safety bunt, try to hit the ball with your right hand if you are a right-handed batter, or with your left hand if you are a left-handed batter.
Even though you hit with a forward leaning position, there is no need to bunt while running. If you bunt while running toward first base, it will be difficult to control the momentum of the ball. It is important not to bunt while running, but to bunt and then run.
It is also important to stand in front of the batter’s box as much as possible during the meet timing.
Although it’s a small amount, it not only brings the distance to first base closer, but also makes it easier to use the fair zone more widely.
・Use it in situations where it is difficult to be alerted.
Even if you are fast or have very good bunt technique, it is difficult to make a safety bunt when your opponent is wary of the possibility of bunting.
Another key to a successful safety bunt is to attempt it when your opponent is not alert.
For example, in situations where there is a two-strike situation where there is a possibility of an out due to a failed three bunt, a situation where there are two outs, or a situation where a runner is on second base and the third baseman also needs to be careful, attention to the safety bunt is relatively reduced.
It is also effective to show the other team how you are hitting by entering the batter’s box with a practice swing or firmly swinging off the first pitch.
If you can make the ball think “he’s going to hit,” you can set up a safety bunt without being alerted.
■It is important to train basic bunt techniques
The safety bunt, which aims to get on base by rolling a weak ground ball, is one play that can catch the opponent by surprise.
Once a match is decided, it gets very exciting, but in order to be successful, you need the skill to roll the ball to the desired spot and the ability to understand the opponent’s habits.
As a major premise, you must also be aware that if you do not have basic bunt techniques or if you are slow, your success rate will decrease. Another point is that left-handed batters have a slight advantage.
If you are confident in your foot speed, why not try honing your bunt skills and aiming for a safety bunt?
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[Text]Alpen Group Magazine Editorial Department
