Larry,Every now and again...

Question
Larry,

Every now and again you will come up against a team who bunts or slaps with runners at first and third.  How would you defend against this, knowing that the batter may also hit away or they may attempt a straight out steal.  I have been coaching at the college level for over twenty years, and like to hear from the experts on how to defend against this situation.

Thanks,  Dick Bailey Head Coach Colby College

Answer
Hello Dick

First off - Good luck this season. I've been retired from coaching for six years now so I had to think about this question. Of course there are the variables such as number of outs, game score, inning, personal on the field, etc ?etc. however basically my philosophy was the guard the corners in this situation and I always wanted to make sure we got an out somewhere.

Essentially any infield play of a bunt or infield slap would go to first to home or home to first unless the ball was hit or slapped in a way an easy force play could be made at second.  

A play that works great in this situation is a third base 憄ick-off' play (my personal favorite). Because R3 is often eager to take a big lead this often works. The third baseman plays up in normal position, the pitcher pitches a ball out of the strike zone (high and outside). When pitchers arm is on the swing down for delivery the short stop hooks around toward third base, the third baseman takes a couple of more steps up likes she's expecting a bunt (this helps draw R3 even further off). Catcher throws ball to shortstop now between third and the runner nailing R3. It Works especially well on a fake or attempted bunt / steal situation.

Now -- if you really what to get a lot of feed back try presenting your question on the very active eteamz fastpitch softball boards. I'm sure you'll get a lot of feedback and suggestions from other coaches ?some of it good:    www.eteamz.com/fastpitch/boards/fastpitch/