Let's play coach

[FUBLUE]

Not that I am second guessing a coach, because I don't do that, but I was wondering how team in your areas would play this situation:

Bottom of seventh, tied ball game, runner on second, no outs. Coach had girl swing away getting a fly ball to move runner over to third. Next girl K's swinging for the fence. Last girl grounds to short. We go extra innings.
Entire inning defense is playing corners back, within 5 steps of the bases.

The ex-coach in me says bunt the girl to third, then try to bunt the run in (see how they play it).

Anyone else?

[wadeintothem]

I still asst coach..

Anyway.. I think it depends on the batter and where you are in the lineup. What level..how good a bunter? It seems like a good bunt situation.. but if I am at my 3-4 slots.. I wouldnt normally waste them on a bunt.. but if was in the 789's.. seems like a real bunt situation.

[bethsdad]

With 1 out I think I would have the girl that struck out try to bunt ! Brian

[Andy]

As a generic reply, bunting the runner over to third is probably the best. But, there are so many other factors to consider.

- Are either of the next two batters good bunters?
- Is the pitcher tiring?
- Is the runner fast or slow or somewhere in between?
- Have any of the betters coming up had success against this pitcher?
- How good is the opponent's infield?

And lastly and perhaps most importantly....

Who knows how coaches think?

[FUBLUE]

Originally posted by Andy
As a generic reply, bunting the runner over to third is probably the best. But, there are so many other factors to consider.

- Are either of the next two batters good bunters?
- Is the pitcher tiring?
- Is the runner fast or slow or somewhere in between?
- Have any of the betters coming up had success against this pitcher?
- How good is the opponent's infield?

And lastly and perhaps most importantly....

Who knows how coaches think?

Good questions, Andy. Here's the rub as I remember it.

Batter who flew out had bunted successfully (for hit) earlier in game. Next batter too had bunted well, but was thrown out by a great play.

Pitcher was getting tired...she hadn't pitched more than 6 innings in a game all year...she was leaving pitches up.

Decent speed on third.

No one in the next three batters had much success against pitcher...hit the ball, but right to someone...usually shortstop...anything near here was an out.

Infield has good short, good third, good catcher, but average second and first.

WADEINTOTHEM...aren't your better hitters able to track the ball better than other hitters? Why not bunt them, then take the chance on being able to manufacture runs?

I had a quality summer ball coach tell me that he tries to manufacture 1 run an inning...his theory is if he can score 4 runs, he can beat most teams. Has good defense and good pitching.

[kellerumps]

I would think a bunt with a runner on third to try and win the game would be in order. I like coaches that force the other team to make plays to win.