With a guy on first and nobody out we have a bunt situation, I think most of you know this.  I often see the ball go down the third base line and the pitcher goes for it but cannot get to it and the catcher instinctively takes a few steps toward the ball, and of course the third baseman crashes in and makes the play leaving third base open.  With all this action a lot of youth players will watch the play develop and before you know it there is a foot race between one of the defensive players and the base runner.  Advantage runner, not because he is faster but because the first baseman is going to have to make a great throw to a moving target, and then the player on the run actually has to catch the ball in an awkward position and get the tag down.  This is highly unlikely to happen by the way.  So what to do?  We will be proactive and teach the catcher the proper action to take.

When the bunt is laid down with a runner on first the catcher should simply go to third base and cover the bag, the pitcher if he does not make the play can simply head to home plate, the third baseman can make the play and then if something develops he can back up the plate.  By the catcher going to third, the first baseman has an easy throw across the field to a target that is stationary.

You can practice this when you do your bunt coverage.  This is very simple and will save your team some runs, and like I always say it won’t hurt at all, because even if there is no play at least you hustled.

Play hard, have fun, and respect the game.