What's a fake bunt in softball?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 21, 2026
A coach may call for a fake bunt if he or she is trying to steal a base runner. The batter will move up in the box to make the fielders think she may be bunting. When the pitcher begins her pitch, the batter will square around as if she is going to bunt the ball.
What are 3 types of bunts in softball?
Bunting is a huge piece to a team's offense in softball. There are three different types of bunts that are taught to softball players all across the country from a young age. The three types of bunts include the commonly used sacrifice bunt, push bunt, and the suicide bunt.
What are the two types of bunts in softball?
Softball Bunting: Drills & Training
There are two different types of bunts for softball: sacrifice and drag bunt. The goal of the sacrifice bunt is to advance the runner to the next base, while you “sacrifice” yourself by being thrown out at first base. The key to this bunt is to never drop your bat.
Can you fake bunt then swing?
Cal Ripken Division - Fake bunt - slash bunt- a batter is out for illegal action when he player fakes a bunt and then takes a full swing, thus eliminating a player from fake bunting (slap-hitting) the ball. Penalty: Batter is out, the ball is dead, no runners may advance.
What is slash bunt?
slash bunt (plural slash bunts) (baseball, softball) A play by the team at-bat where the hitter assumes the position for a bunt and then changes grip and takes a swing at the ball.
37 related questions foundCan you slash bunt in Little League?
5. No slash bunts. Any batter who attempts a slash bunt will be called out. (Slash bunt: batter shows bunt, then pulls the bat back after the pitch and takes a full swing).
What is a drag bunt in baseball?
Definition of drag bunt
: a bunt in baseball made by a left-handed batter by trailing the bat while moving toward first base broadly : a bunt made with the object of getting on base safely rather than sacrificing.
Can you fake bunt in softball?
A coach may call for a fake bunt if he or she is trying to steal a base runner. The batter will move up in the box to make the fielders think she may be bunting. When the pitcher begins her pitch, the batter will square around as if she is going to bunt the ball.
What is offensive in softball?
Several traditional offensive strategies used in Fastpitch softball to create opportunities are taking a pitch, the sacrifice bunt, the steal and the hit and run. Proper instruction is important for these offensive plays, but perfect execution is the true secret to success.
How do you slap a bunt in softball?
The moment the pitch is released from the pitcher's hand, the player must rotate his hips toward the pitcher and then cross his back (left) foot over his front foot, moving up to the very front edge of the batter's box. His shoulders should face the pitcher at this point.
What is the biggest softball size?
The largest softball approved by the ASA for regulation play is 16 inches in circumference and used in men's 16-inch softball games. The 16-inch softball dates back to the beginning of the sport, when the first balls used to play were 16 inches in diameter.
Is bunting allowed in fastpitch softball?
Besides hitting the ball to the fence, there is no greater offensive weapon than a robust bunting strategy. This is true of all age groups in fastpitch softball.
What is a homerun in softball?
Definition. A home run occurs when a batter hits a fair ball and scores on the play without being put out or without the benefit of an error. In almost every instance of a home run, a batter hits the ball in the air over the outfield fence in fair territory.
When should a player bunt in softball?
The best time is with a runner on third and one out (and naturally with speed on third and a good bunter at the plate). With two outs, a squeeze bunt is basically a bunt for a hit, with the batter needing to be safe at first for it to work. And the runner on third needs to know the batter is bunting.
What is strikeout in softball?
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accrues three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is denoted by K in scorekeeping and statistics.
What is the best batting position?
Batting Order Construction[edit]
- The first or leadoff hitter should be good at getting on base and preferably a good baserunner as well. ...
- In the traditional approach, the second hitter should be a good bat handler. ...
- The third hitter is supposed to be the best all-around hitter on the team.
Who invented softball?
Softball began in 1887 when George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade, invented "indoor baseball". By the spring of 1888, the game had spread outdoors. It was originally called either mushball, kittenball or indoor baseball, but by the 1920s it had acquired the name of softball.
What is the point of a bunt?
This bunt is meant to advance base runners from one base to the next, most commonly from first base to second. This bunt serves two purposes: first, the runner will be in scoring position for the next batter and, second, the possibility of a double play can be avoided. Squeeze Bunt.
Why do baseball players show bunt?
Bunting occurs when a batter holds the bat in the hitting zone and, without swinging, lets the ball make contact with it. The idea is to deaden the ball so that the baserunners can advance (or the hitter can get to first base) while the opposing fielders run in to make a play.
How do you steal bases in softball?
If the catcher catches the ball, or the ball is missed and lands behind the plate, the ball is considered live and the base can be stolen. Also, with slow pitch softball, base runners can't lead off and they must wait for the ball to reach the home plate before they attempt to steal the base.
What is the difference between a push bunt and a drag bunt?
While a push bunt and a drag bunt are similar in the way a batter gets set up to lay down a bunt, the drag bunt is when a batter catches the ball with their bat while beginning their run and a push bunt is when a batter pushes through the ball to get more distance on their bunt.
How do you bunt a base hit?
Step 1: The set-up and mechanics are the exact same with the drag bunt, the only exception is that instead of catching the ball with the bat and gently bunting the ball to 3rd base, you will firmly bunt it towards the 2nd baseman. Step 2: Push the bunt with your legs, and use your momentum to go through the baseball.
Can a right handed batter drag bunt?
There is a good tactic known as a drag bunt. It can be done by right-handed batters, but they have to wait until AFTER the bunt to start running. Left-handed batters can start running toward first BEFORE they make the bunt.
Is it a dead-ball if it hits a runner?
In baseball, when a fair ball touches the runner before an infielder (not including the pitcher) makes a play on the ball, the play is ruled interference on the baserunner. The baserunner is out, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded a single, and the closest defender is credited with a putout.
Is a walk a dead-ball?
When a walk occurs, the ball is still live: any runner not forced to advance may nevertheless attempt to advance at his own risk, which might occur on a steal play, passed ball, or wild pitch.