Sacrifice Bunt
Also known as: sac bunt, bunting the runner over
A sacrifice bunt trades the batter's own out to advance a baserunner into scoring position, using the bunt purely as a situational strategy rather than an attempt to reach base safely.
The sacrifice bunt is a deliberate trade: the hitter accepts being thrown out at first in exchange for moving a runner from first to second, or second to third, into a better position to score on a subsequent hit, sacrifice fly, wild pitch, or ground ball. Because reaching base isn't the goal, the technique itself can favor placement and certainty of getting the bunt down over disguise or speed — the hitter can square around earlier since there's no benefit to hiding intent when the defense expecting a bunt doesn't change the strategic goal.
Situational sacrifice bunting typically comes with runners on base and fewer than two outs, most often used by weaker-hitting lineup spots or in tight, low-scoring games where a single run matters disproportionately. The decision carries a real trade-off, since giving up a guaranteed out is a real cost against a lineup capable of hitting; sacrifice bunting is used far more selectively at higher levels of baseball than in youth and amateur play, where bunting skill is more reliable than hitting for many lineup spots.
Executing the bunt reliably matters more than placement precision for a straightforward sacrifice — a bunt popped into the air risks a double play, wiping out the runner it was meant to advance, which is why keeping the bat angled down and the contact soft is the first priority over aiming for a specific spot.
Example
With a runner on first and no outs in a tied game, the coach called for a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position.
Why it matters
The sacrifice bunt is a situational strategy decision, not a swing flaw — knowing when the trade-off of a guaranteed out for base advancement makes sense is a strategic skill distinct from bunt execution itself.
Common mistakes
- Popping the bunt into the air, risking a double play that erases the runner instead of advancing them
- Squaring around too late for a straightforward sacrifice attempt, missing the pitch entirely
- Using a sacrifice bunt reflexively in situations where the expected value of swinging away is actually higher
Frequently asked questions
When is a sacrifice bunt usually called for?
Most often with a runner on base and fewer than two outs, in a close game where advancing the runner into scoring position is worth trading the hitter's own out.
Related terms
- Bunt TechniqueBunt technique is the fundamental skill of deadening the ball off the bat by absorbing its speed rather than swinging — using soft hands, a squared or angled stance, and the bat as a cushion instead of a weapon.
- Squeeze Play (Bunt)A squeeze play is a bunt called specifically to score a runner from third base — a "suicide squeeze" sends the runner as the pitch is thrown regardless of where the bunt goes, while a "safety squeeze" holds the runner until the bunt is down.
- Baserunning ReadA baserunning read is the split-second decision a runner makes based on what the ball does after contact — whether to advance, hold, or retreat.
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