Softball Hitting - Bunting Does Matter

Last week, I shared with you Cindy Bristow's top 10 observations of the Women's College World Series. She made a key point about the  fact that "Bunting Matters" and I also commented about it also.

Following this message, I got an interesting reply from one of our our loyal readers. I thought I would share it with you:

"I am 65 years old and have been pitching fast pitch for 46 years and still do today. There are no grips on the ball or any pitch that anyone can come up with that I haven't tried or cannot throw.

About bunting, I was at one time an excellent bunter with an average of over 500 against some of the best pitchers around because of it.

I was very successful because I never and I repeat have never bunted to sacrifice anyone. I have always bunted for  a hit and then there were two on base instead of one unless he scored for several different reasons. I was able to put it down no matter where the ball was pitched as long as my bat could reach it.

I would first fake it to see as to what everyone on the field would do and that would determine as to where and what I would do to put it down and I also was very good at not showing it. Some times I would swing at the first or second pitch and miss it by a foot just to bait the pitcher into throwing the same pitch and to the same place again and then I would put it down.

It's beyond me as to why most teams do not do it or teach it.  Maybe they don't truly know how to teach it and in that case  they should bring someone in that can.

Our men's team once played against a team from Canton, NC and we lost 7 to 3 and they never hit a ball the whole game out of the infield. Every player on that team was an awesome bunter and because of it we had overthrows and misplays they definitely made things happen. I talked to their coach after the game and he told me that if a player cannot put bunts down successfully at least 90%  of the time then they cannot play on his team period."

Ron Marstiller
Pitching Instructor
Circle of Dreams USA

All I can say is that it's a very interesting perspective and I definitely believe that bunting is somewhat of lost art that deserves more attention.

Don't ever forget: speed kills.

Happy bunting!

Who loves ya?

Marc
"Your Softball Peak Performance Coach"