bunt

A bunt is a batting technique used in baseball and softball in which the batter lightly taps the ball with the bat in a way that makes the ball travel a short distance, usually into the infield. The aim is typically to advance baserunners, create a strategic scoring opportunity, or reach base with minimal chances of an out.

Common varieties include the sacrifice bunt, bunting to advance runners with the batter likely to be put out, and bunting for a hit, such as a drag bunt. A sacrifice bunt is often used with one or more runners on base and fewer than two outs; the batter is expected to be retired, but runners advance. A drag bunt is executed with the intent to reach base, usually by a fast runner, while still moving runners into scoring position. Other bunt forms include the push bunt, which places the ball softly in the infield, and the squeeze bunt, employed with a runner on third.

Execution and strategy center on precise bat control, timing, and situational awareness. Bunting reduces the batter’s chance of a base hit but increases the likelihood of advancing runners or producing a sacrifice. Defenses commonly respond by playing in close proximity to the batter and fielding the ball quickly, while runners may attempt to steal or break for the next base depending on the play.

In scoring, a successful sacrifice bunt is recorded as a sacrifice hit if the batter is credited with an out, and the advance of runners is tracked separately. If the batter reaches base via a bunt, it can be scored as a hit, though this is less common. The bunt remains a strategic tool in both amateur and professional play, with usage varying by era and league.