What is a squeeze bunt?
In baseball, the squeeze play (a.k.a. squeeze bunt) is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score. Such a bunt is most common with one out.
When should you squeeze bunt?
Purpose. Use the squeeze bunt in a close game to score a tying, go ahead, or insurance run. The squeeze bunt places more pressure on the hitter than any other play in baseball. There are two types of squeeze bunts: the safety squeeze and the suicide squeeze.
What does the term squeeze play mean?
1 : a baseball play in which a runner on third base starts for home plate as the ball is being pitched and the batter attempts to bunt to give the runner a chance to score.
How is a squeeze bunt scored?
A squeeze or squeeze bunt is a bunt intended to score a runner from third base. A successful squeeze is scored as a sacrifice hit, unless the batter is safe at first without benefit of an error, in which case it can be a hit. The batter who executes a successful squeeze is awarded a run batted in.
Which way do you bunt?
Bunting into a sacrifice With a runner on first, bunt toward the area between the mound and the first baseman. With a runner on second or runners on first and second, bunt toward the third baseman to bring him off the bag (see Figure 4).
Does a bunt count as a hit?
In National League ballparks, pitchers are frequently called upon to sacrifice bunt. If an error is committed and the batter reaches base, he is still credited with a sacrifice. However, if the sacrifice bunt attempt turns into a single, the batter is simply credited with a hit and no sacrifice is given.
When do you use a squeeze bunt in a game?
Situations, squeeze bunt; where you have a runner at third, or second and third, generally with less than two outs. It becomes a possiblity with two outs should the infield corner defense be caught deep, to where the offense feels they can score the run by bunting and beating it out to first base.
What does the squeeze play mean in baseball?
In baseball, the squeeze play (a.k.a. squeeze bunt) is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base.
What does LF stand for in a squeeze bunt?
3B: Yells to alert the rest of the infield of the squeeze and breaks hard towards home plate with the runner, responsible for balls bunted up the third base side. LF: Coming hard towards 3B line.
What is the catcher’s job in a squeeze bunt?
His most important job is the location of the pitch. Ball should be down and in to a right hander, down and away from a lefty. C: The catcher is responsible for the tag at home. If the ball is bunted, depending on where the bunt goes, he is either fielding it, or calling out where the play is to go.