Bunt attempt?

[greymule]

ASA FP.

Two strikes. Batter starts deep in the box. When the pitch is released, she runs up and a bit toward 1B, extends her arms with her hands still at the knob, sticks the bat out over the plate, and maybe makes a feeble slap at the ball, but it really seems like an attempt to tap the ball slowly within the infield.

In the past, when such a pitch was fouled, I called it strike 3 unless there was at least something approaching a legitimate slap swing. However, calling it simply a foul ball has met with no resistance whatsoever, so that's what I'm now doing. Never a question about, "Wasn't that a bunt attempt?"

I don't know why this issue never arose in past years. Maybe it's me.

What criteria do you guys use to draw the line between a bunt attempt and a weak slap?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by greymule

ASA FP.

What criteria do you guys use to draw the line between a bunt attempt and a weak slap?

This seems to crop up a couple of times a year. Seems to me that MOST people's criteria is either as follows, or similar enough to this to get the exact same call 99% of the time.

For me - if the barrel of the bat is moving faster than the handle, it's a swing/slap. If the barrel of the bat is moving the same speed or slower than the handle, it's a bunt.

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by greymule

What criteria do you guys use to draw the line between a bunt attempt and a weak slap?

1. Very hard to bunt (accurately) with hands together. Look at placement of hands on bat.

2. Barrel of bat moving faster than handle.

3. Wrists break (even slightly)

4. Players are too smart to bunt on two strikes. Only if ordered by coach, and then it will be a definite and controlled bunt attempt. If they are running they are attempting to slap.

WMB

[bigsig]

I had this happen in a JV game last year. Batter stuck the bat out and let the ball hit it foul. I called it a bunt and called the batter out. Coach argued that it was a checked swing. Coach turned to the batter and asked if she checked her swing. Batter said "no coach, I was trying to bunt!" End of argument.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

If they are running they are attempting to slap.

A drag bunt is still a bunt, isn't it? That is, they could be attempting a slap or a drag bunt.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

Players are too smart to bunt on two strikes.

Originally Posted by bigsig

Batter said "no coach, I was trying to bunt!"

Well, most of the time, anyway...

[CecilOne]

A year ago, besides the hand separation, I said:
"Mainly for me it's the speed difference between the handle and the barrel, along with the wrist action. For more help (I hope), read this topic
slap hitter"

and Tom said:
"Simple test: did the batter swing?

If the bat is moving forward in conjunction with the batter (i.e. not swinging forward, just being carried along), that is a drag bunt, and it is a bunt.

If the bat is moving in a swinging motion, that is a slap hit, and not a bunt."