Bunt Etiquette?

Big Fish · Post by **Big Fish** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 2:28 pm

I am watching the Twins/Indians game and Roy Smalley and Twins announcers jump all over Trevor Crowe for bunting for a single in the 4th inning with 2 out and no one on. The announcers scream that bunting for a single as the number 8 hitter is bush league? I don't get it. The Twins broadcasting crew then suggests Baker should hit Crowe the next time he gets up for the bunt if he doesn't try to steal second?

I played baseball throughout High School and even a year in college and have never heard of this.

Has anyone heard of this?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:34 am

Ballplayers from past era's have different takes on bunting.

Nolan Ryan absolutely disliked ANY player bunting. Before some games, against a team that enjoyed bunting, he would go to home plate and smooth the dirt in front of the plate while staring at the opponents dugout. A message that if you bunted on him, that you'll end up on your back.

Don Drysdale also didn't care for bunters (Of course, it was fine when teammate Maury Wills would bunt). Drysdale would tell opposing players after legging out a bunt hit, " Bunting and running to make first base this time, limping to first, the next."

A favorite quote of mine from Drysdale, "The pitcher has to find out if the hitter is timid, and if he is timid, he has to remind the hitter he is timid".

Some players from generations past, believe that the bunt should only be used for sacrifices and by fast players who bunt as a means to stay in the big leagues.

It's a different game now. Maybe Smalley, for a moment, reverted back to the day.

Big Fish · Post by **Big Fish** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:42 am

Doughboy - great explanation, thank you.

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:44 am

Don Drysdale

The Mighty Men · Post by **The Mighty Men** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:41 am

Anyone that complains about a guy bunting should be hit himself the next time he is up. The object is to WIN THE GAME by getting on base, so the "old timers" should all shut their big mouths. At least somebody on Cleveland is showing some life.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:14 am

Originally posted by The Mighty Men:

Anyone that complains about a guy bunting should be hit himself the next time he is up. The object is to WIN THE GAME by getting on base, so the "old timers" should all shut their big mouths. At least somebody on Cleveland is showing some life. I don't have to ask which side of the fence you were on when Ben Davis laid down a bunt to spoil Curt Schilling's perfect game in the eighth inning, do I, Jack?

I agree though. Bunting is part of baseball.

Although I have read several accounts about Drysdale and Ryan and other pitchers disliking bunts, they never expound as to why.

My guess is that they were not adept at fielding bunts and maybe just wanted to take that option away from the opposition....or maybe they just plain considered it a pain in the ass

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:26 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

quote:Originally posted by The Mighty Men:

Anyone that complains about a guy bunting should be hit himself the next time he is up. The object is to WIN THE GAME by getting on base, so the "old timers" should all shut their big mouths. At least somebody on Cleveland is showing some life. I don't have to ask which side of the fence you were on when Ben Davis laid down a bunt to spoil Curt Schilling's perfect game in the eighth inning, do I, Jack?

I agree though. Bunting is part of baseball.

Although I have read several accounts about Drysdale and Ryan and other pitchers disliking bunts, they never expound as to why.

My guess is that they were not adept at fielding bunts and maybe just wanted to take that option away from the opposition....or maybe they just plain considered it a pain in the ass

[/QUOTE]Or its girly.

[ July 20, 2010, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: Dub ]