Quote:
Originally posted by Michael Taylor
The best way to determine if a bunt should be called on the attempt is if moves the bat toward the ball. You will be told the proper method for bunting is to "catch the ball with the bat" so you actually move it backwards from the ball. Even using that you still have to move the bat toward or in the path of ball. If he squares and does nothing else then call the pitch on location. If the batter does anything you deem as go after the ball the you have an attempt. Hope this helps.
|
Okay, now I'm almost back to square one.... Every coach I had from LL through college taught me to track the ball with my hands on a bunt, and (naturally) I've always taught that as well--start high, use the legs, and track with the hands and eyes so that you don't end up making a last second stab or jerk.
Once you get past the 9-10y level, I don't see many players that simply put the bat over the plate. I see some that don't stand in long enough and show a strong commitment to the defense on a fake, but very few that just stand there.
Likewise, I see some that are tracking and positioning, but they're not sure enough on the close pitch, and they don't make a timely attempt to get the bat back and clearly declare that they're not commiting. If I'm going to call that player for a strike on the close pitch because he used what I consider to be good form, I can't feel good about calling a ball on the same pitch for a player who uses what I consider poor form. But that's what I'm hearing I should do.
~~Dan