Beginner
Sacrifice Bunt
Also known as: sac bunt
A sacrifice bunt is intentionally tapping the ball softly into play to advance a baserunner, accepting the batter’s out in exchange for moving the runner into scoring position.
In a low-scoring, pitcher-dominated game, manufacturing one run is often worth an out. The batter squares early and deadens the ball down a baseline, away from fielders who can make the lead-runner play. It is the simplest piece of fast-pitch small ball and a foundation for the drag bunt and slap game.
Example
Runner on first, no outs: the batter squares and lays a sacrifice bunt down the third-base line, moving the runner to second.
Related terms
- Short GameThe short game is fast-pitch’s collection of low-power, high-pressure offensive tactics — bunts, slaps, and push bunts — used to move runners and beat defenses with speed.
- Drag BuntA drag bunt is a bunt for a base hit (not a sacrifice) where a fast runner — often a lefty slapper — begins moving toward first while dragging the bat through to deaden the ball.
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