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Football
Pyramid
of Success
by John Bronkhorst
Turning
Athletes into Excellent Wide Receivers by Shannon Roberts (Ferris HS)
Quick
Feet by Ron R. Richmond
Baseball
Pitching
Philosophies and Tips by Billy Brown (Austin High)
Bunt
Offense by Chad Krempin (Jarrell HS)
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Bunt Offense
Chad
Krempin (Jarrell H.S.)
Everyone
bunts, but do you really do what it takes to excel at it.
Bunting is like everything else in baseball. You can't bunt 3-5 times
a day and expect to do it well. When I came to Jarrell we were picked 6th
in district and nothing was expected. Last season we won our district and
are currently ranked #7 in 2A. My plan was to play defense, pitch well(throw
strikes with 3 pitches) and manufacture runs. Having a great bunting game
was my first objective offensively. Here is the basics of our bunt game. No
Rocket science. Everyone in our lineup can bunt at any time. We don't have
to bunt as much now, but we still use all these and keep them available
which keeps pressure on the defenses.
Technique- We want to crowd the plate and move up in the box when we are
attempting to bunt the ball in play. We simply pivot on our feet out of a
wide base. We never move our feet. We want to do the basics right: bat head
above hands, grip that insures control, and start at the top of the zone and
work down. Pitchers are usually taught to throw a pitch to the top part of
the strike zone vs. a bunter. In bunt and run situation or drag and push we
show much later.
Sacrifice- With runner at first we want the ball down the first base line.
With runner at second we will bunt down the third base line. We square when
the pitcher as begun his stretch or windup to the plate.
Bunt and Run-Our objective is to bunt the ball to third and go from first to
third on the bunt. This is more dangerous, but in two years we have only
popped up into a double play once. The runner at first must pick up the
third base coach just as in a hit and run. Show later! Ball leaving the hand
is when we try too.
Run and Bunt- similar, but we will only bunt strikes.
Triple Option-runners at 1st and 3rd. Our plan here is to get the ball down
the first base side primarily. Bunt strikes or manageable pitches.
The first baseman should be holding on the runner. We are running a
bunt and run at first with a safety squeeze at third. If done correctly will
give you a run with a runner at third. Great play with no one out. Still
good with one out.
Suicide Squeeze-We are breaking to the plate when the pitcher has committed
downhill to the plate. Need to try and have a walking lead.
Hitter of course will bunt anything he can get his bat on. Just get
it down.We usually bunt to first base side with righties and vice versa for
lefties.
Safety Squeeze- We will get our maximum secondary lead at third and look for
a ball bunted to third or first base side that we can score on. If bunted to
third we work him if bunted right at him watching the SS on a wheel. If
bunted to first base side we try and score.
Double Squeeze- We try and score two runs of one bunt. We steal from second
and suicide from third. If bunted to third or pitcher you can usually
score both runners. If to first may have to hold up second runner if 1st
baseman recognizes it.
Fake bunt-We use this differently by getting deep in the box. We are looking
to steal or pull back and swing.. Sometimes can get catcher interference
with long late swing(not too late). Can look like hit and run if pulled
back..Great for stealing with mid-line speed guys.
Push and Drag bunts-Looking for deep fielders or unathletic defenders. Watch
slow rollers on in and out. Trying to get a hit. Show late. Get it down a
line or foul.
Hope some of this is useful.
Chad Krempin-Jarrell High school
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