Balks, Bunts & Walks

I had a conversation with a 12U baseball coach the other day when he brought it to my attention how much he was using the sacrifice bunt so often during their ballgames.

NOTE: Bunting is a giant ‘red flag’ for me. Okay you hard- core, traditionalist coaches, it is okay to teach a kid how to bunt. My argument back is ‘you are a win-at-all-cost’ type coach if you are constantly having players bunt in practice and games.

Bunting likely will help you win games---but at what cost? The cost of taking at-bats away from kids and not helping them develop their hitting.

Remember, our objective is to develop hitters that can survive in the game in order to reach high school baseball. If a player cannot ‘hit’ at a fairly high level chances are they will struggle for playing time in the high school age levels or may be cut from the team (if they haven’t stopped playing already).

No Bunting in Baseball

'Quality Swings' Trump Bunting

Being able to bunt is a low priority to me below the high school level. I might introduce the skill but will not waste much time or at-bats bunting.

I see baseball coaches that wallow all over themselves because their kids can bunt so well during the games. Coaches think they are really ‘coaching’ when they call baseball signs for bunts during games.

It seems like coaches take the approach that ‘I must be a really good ball coach because my players can execute bunting so well’. “Look how well my team executes bunting (my measuring stick is quality swings—not bunting)! Boy we must be really good and I can really coach-em!”

Bunts & Walks Win Games But at What Cost?

Yes a team could win a bunch of games by bunting all the time on a regular basis. Winning in this fashion is not in the best interests of a player’s development.

Hitters need every at-bat to get as many quality swings as possible—otherwise it might be game-over for the non-hitters.

So, pack away the sacrifice bunting and all your ‘strategy’ and let the kids swing it. So what if you lose a few along the way. The object is to develop hitters that can ‘square-up’ on the barrel consistently.

I hear coaches say, “But Coach Dave, I have players that cannot hit and I don’t want them to go home all dejected. At least if they can lay down a bunt they will feel a little bit good about themselves.” I say you are taking the easy way out.

You are settling. Settling to speed up the process of sending a kid right out of baseball without ever hitting a ball squarely on the ‘sweet spot’.

By the way, just substitute ‘walk’ for ‘bunt’ in the above article and you will see how I feel about my players getting walks below high school (I don’t like my players to walk or bunt).

Re-read the article as if it says ‘walk’ (instead of bunt). Sure I hear, “But Coach Dave, my team’s parents want to win and if I teach hitters to be aggressive the parents don’t understand why we are free swingers and trying to get quality swings.

Answer: It is called a pre-season meeting to explain your coaching approach and philosophy about your best interests in their children’s player development, and you are not interested in the win-at-all-costs approach. Pre-Season Parent Meeting

Your Child Is Not Going to Play Pro or College Baseball

post puberty baseball years?

Summer Baseball Camp To Your Town

Get in touch with Coach Dave and talk over the opportunities and see if we can match up the dates. Coach Dave will bring his player development system to your area for a weeklong summer day camp.

Do you want to give your local players a chance to improve their skills over the summer in a professional baseball style environment?

Do you want a coach that uses positive coaching style approach and builds stronger, high character kids? Then you should talk to Coach Dave now and get the ball rolling for week of summer baseball camp. Contact Coach Dave Holt

Free 4-Day Baseball Coaching Course EXTENDED

If you are new to coaching or been around awhile, take advantage of this great deal. This will get your juices flowing and mind wandering. Get your ducks in a row now before you get too far along in the season.

My email courses will get you up to speed real fast and prepare you for the next steps so you don't have to waste a bunch of time fumbling around the internet.

Youth baseball coaching looks pretty easy from the outside looking in. But watch out, you could get eaten alive if you don't know a little bit more than the average baseball parents.

If you have any questions on the course please send me an email and I will get back with you.

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When you have a minute and want to know more check out my INFORMATIVE fabulous baseball coaching books...

Super Simple Guide to Coaching Youth Baseball
You Go As Far as Your Bat Takes You
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Until next time, Thanks for your service to Baseball!

Dave Holt
Baseball Development