Foul Bunt With Two Strikes
Also known as: foul bunt with two strikes, two strike foul bunt, bunting foul with two strikes, two strike bunt rule, bunt foul on strike three
In fast-pitch, a bunt that goes foul with two strikes is an out. A foul ball on a full swing with two strikes keeps the at-bat going, but a foul bunt does not. If the bunt is popped up and caught in the air, the batter is out on the catch and the ball stays live.
USA Softball defines a bunt as a pitched ball tapped on purpose, slowly, within the infield. With fewer than two strikes, a foul bunt is simply a strike, like any foul ball. After the second strike, Rule 7, Section 6I makes a foul bunt an out. The ball is dead and runners go back to their bases, unless the bunt is caught in the air, in which case the ball remains live.
A missed bunt attempt with two strikes is strike three. USA Softball's rules supplement says the dropped third strike rule then applies. As a result, the batter may run if the catcher does not catch the pitch and first base is open or there are two outs. If the batter holds the bat over the plate and the pitch is outside the strike zone. It is a ball unless she moves the bat toward the pitch. A pitch in the zone is a strike either way.
The rule shapes two-strike decisions for slappers and short-game hitters. USA Softball's scoring rules describe a slap as a fake bunt followed by a controlled swing. A foul on a swing with two strikes is just a foul ball, so the foul-bunt rule does not cover it. Whether a soft poke counts as a bunt or a swing is the umpire's judgment. Other rulebooks word this rule their own way.
Tips by skill level
With two strikes, bunt only when your coach asks for it, and only at strikes you can put on the ground.
A short swing or slap that goes foul with two strikes leaves the at-bat alive, while a foul bunt ends it. Practice both so the two-strike call is a choice, not a risk.
Example
With two strikes and a runner on first, a hitter squares and bunts the ball foul down the third-base line. The umpire calls her out, and the runner goes back to first.
Why it matters
It turns a two-strike bunt into a gamble. Hitters and coaches who forget it give away outs in bunting situations.
Common mistakes
- Bunting with two strikes without knowing a foul bunt is an out
- Treating a two-strike foul bunt as just another foul ball
- Not running on a missed two-strike bunt that the catcher drops
- Popping up a two-strike bunt while trying to steer it too fine
Frequently asked questions
Is a foul bunt with two strikes a strikeout?
The batter is out. Under USA Softball fast-pitch rules, a bunt that goes foul after the second strike retires the batter. The ball is dead and runners go back, unless the bunt is caught in the air.
What happens if you bunt foul with two strikes?
You are out. The ball is dead and the runners return to their bases. If a fielder catches the bunt in the air, you are out on the catch and the ball stays live.
What happens if you miss a bunt with two strikes?
It is strike three. Under USA Softball rules, the dropped third strike rule applies. As a result, you may run if the catcher does not catch the pitch and first base is open or there are two outs.
Is a foul slap with two strikes an out?
Not under the foul-bunt rule. A slap is a swing, and a foul on a swing with two strikes is just a foul ball. Whether a soft poke is a bunt or a swing is the umpire's call.
Sources
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 7 Sec. 6I and Effect 6F–M (fast pitch: batter out on a foul bunt after the second strike; live if caught), p. 86
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 7 Sec. 4F (fast pitch: a foul is a strike with fewer than two strikes), p. 84
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 1 Definitions, Bunt, p. 16
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rules Supplement #10 (check swing / bunt strike; missed two-strike bunt and the dropped third strike), p. 128
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 11 Sec. 2B Note (slap hit defined as a fake bunt followed by a controlled swing), p. 114
Related terms
- Bunting MechanicsBunting mechanics refer to the grip, stance, and bat-angle technique used to deaden a pitched ball and direct it to a specific area of the infield, whether for a sacrifice or a base hit.
- Sacrifice BuntA sacrifice bunt is a soft tap into play, made on purpose to advance a baserunner. The batter trades their own out for a runner moving into scoring position.
- Two-Strike ApproachA two-strike approach is how fast-pitch hitters adjust with two strikes. Most shorten the swing, cover more of the zone, and favor contact over power.
- Drag BuntA drag bunt is a bunt for a base hit. A fast runner, usually a left-handed slapper, starts running toward first before contact to beat the throw.
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Dropped Third StrikeOn a dropped third strike, the batter may run to first if the catcher does not catch strike three before it touches the ground. It applies only when first base is empty or there are two outs. To get the out, the catcher usually tags the batter or throws to first.
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