BUNTING

Bunting isn't glamorous or exciting but doing it successfully can be the difference between winning or losing a close game. Bunting is a skill that every fast pitch softball player needs to master. 

The basics for a successful "sacrifice" bunt:

Stance:

Rotate onto the ball of your rear foot with toes pointing at the pitcher.  Simultaneously turn at the waist and point your chest at the pitcher.  It is important that you be able to maintain your balance as you bunt the ball.  

Hand placement

Hand placement is crucial to having good control of the bat when bunting.  Slide your top hand about half-way up the bat. The bottom hand can be left at the bottom of the bat or slid up the handle until it passes the area where the top hand normally grips the bat.   With your top hand, grip the bat with the thumb and index finger.  Curl your three other fingers behind the bat to protect them.  

Bunting Mechanics:

• Start at the Chin – Start with your bat at the top of your strike zone. If the ball is above your bat, it is out of the strike zone.  Let the umpire call the pitch a "ball".  Bunters who move the bat up to contact the ball, will often make contact with the bottom halve of the ball and pop it into the air.
• Extend & Level the bat – As the pitcher gets ready to release the ball, move your hands and the bat in front of your body and the plate.  The bat should be tilted so that the barrel is slightly above your hands. 
• Restrict the Roll: It is usually a good idea to "deaden" your bunts to avoid bunting the ball hard to the pitcher or a charging infielder.  Deaden your bunts by holding the bat with soft hands and allow the top hand to "give a little" when the bat contacts the ball.
• Be Patient:  It is important that you never push the bat at the ball.   Let the ball come to you!!
• Move Down with your Knees – To bunt a low pitch, keep your bat level and bend your knees to bring your body and the bat down to the ball.    Never extend your arms and push the bat downward at a low strike.    Always try to keep the bat at or near chest level, and your eyes slightly above the ball.
• Spread your feet to maintain balance – Keep your feet wide enough apart to maintain good balance regardless of where the ball is pitched. 
•    On the Ground and Fair – The bunter has two primary objectives: 
  •  get the ball on the ground, and
  • keep the ball in fair territory.   Try not to bunt straight back to the pitcher or directly in front of the plate where the catcher can quickly field the ball.   
• Pull the bat back if ball is out of strike zone:  If the ball is outside the strike zone, pull the barrel of your bat back before the ball crosses the plate.   Make it obvious to the umpire that you made no attempt to bunt the ball.
• Develop Confidence –   Develop your bunting skills by bunting at random times during non-competitive game.  Also, lay down a few bunts each time you take batting practice.  Develop 100% confidence in your ability to lay bunts down in fair territory, whenever you are asked to advance a runner into scoring position.