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12uCoach
357 Posts |
 Posted - 07/01/2009 : 07:40:09
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Blah, Blah, Blah. Blah, Blah, Blah. A lot of talk on the boards at the lower level this year has been on the topic of what is right in a baseball game and what is wrong in a baseball game. Morally right or wrong is a fine line, but my point is, do you want your coach to do everything they can do to win, within the rules?
Eventually, if enough people break the spirit of the rules the rules will change. There used to be a 10-foot line the ball must pass to be a fair ball, touch it before the line and it was foul. Took care of the bunt problem. Enough people complain, go to the National Meeting and get the line back.
The pitcher may no longer be on the hill with out the ball, takes away the old hidden ball trick.
I believe that in this case the question should have been, "what drills can I run in the next 2 days so we don't get beat by a bunting team?" And then, make sure your team can bunt like they do. Payback is a nasty witch.
In the other cases, make a list of "rotten" ways to win, and spend 10 minutes at each Sunday practice showing the different ones to you players so they recognize it and make sure it does not happen to them. |
Edited by - 12uCoach on 07/01/2009 08:19:12 |
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TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 09:17:09
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quote:
Originally posted by 12uCoach
Blah, Blah, Blah. Blah, Blah, Blah. A lot of talk on the boards at the lower level this year has been on the topic of what is right in a baseball game and what is wrong in a baseball game. Morally right or wrong is a fine line, but my point is, do you want your coach to do everything they can do to win, within the rules?
Eventually, if enough people break the spirit of the rules the rules will change. There used to be a 10-foot line the ball must pass to be a fair ball, touch it before the line and it was foul. Took care of the bunt problem. Enough people complain, go to the National Meeting and get the line back.
The pitcher may no longer be on the hill with out the ball, takes away the old hidden ball trick.
I believe that in this case the question should have been, "what drills can I run in the next 2 days so we don't get beat by a bunting team?" And then, make sure your team can bunt like they do. Payback is a nasty witch.
In the other cases, make a list of "rotten" ways to win, and spend 10 minutes at each Sunday practice showing the different ones to you players so they recognize it and make sure it does not happen to them.
Well said !! |
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Phattso
143 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 09:27:00
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quote:
Originally posted by 12uCoach
Blah, Blah, Blah. Blah, Blah, Blah. A lot of talk on the boards at the lower level this year has been on the topic of what is right in a baseball game and what is wrong in a baseball game. Morally right or wrong is a fine line, but my point is, do you want your coach to do everything they can do to win, within the rules?
Eventually, if enough people break the spirit of the rules the rules will change. There used to be a 10-foot line the ball must pass to be a fair ball, touch it before the line and it was foul. Took care of the bunt problem. Enough people complain, go to the National Meeting and get the line back.
The pitcher may no longer be on the hill with out the ball, takes away the old hidden ball trick.
I believe that in this case the question should have been, "what drills can I run in the next 2 days so we don't get beat by a bunting team?" And then, make sure your team can bunt like they do. Payback is a nasty witch.
In the other cases, make a list of "rotten" ways to win, and spend 10 minutes at each Sunday practice showing the different ones to you players so they recognize it and make sure it does not happen to them.
Exactly... We literally got beat by a team that bunted 10-15 times in a game. Instead of whining and complaining, we worked on our bunt defense and bunting on offense. The next game, they only bunted 1 or 2 times and one of those was an out. Rules are rules, but bunting is a part of the game. Maybe some of the old timers aren't used to seeing bunts at the lower age, but it's alive and well.
As far as my team goes, we may go 2-3 games in a row without laying 1 ball down. But, when we play the better defenses, the bunt has to be a part of the game as runs are at a premium. We have one of the better defenses, so we get bunted on as well.
I am here to tell you that the 7yo age group has some freakish players/athletes. I was around when the 10yo's from this year were 6-8yo and the game is different. IMO, the talent is better. |
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BREAMKING
323 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 10:16:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Phattso
Bream: I understand what you are saying, but it is what it is. My team can go toe to toe with any team out there, but the bunt is a part of every good team's offense. We also run like maniacs on the bases, should we not do that since it's forcing the other team to make and catch throws? Bottom line, we take what the defense gives us, just like real baseball.
I agree it is what it is. But running the bases is a part of regular baseball. Bunting when it is coach pitch and it is just getting served up there is not very hard to do for a 8yr. old kid. I just do not understand bunting when it is coach pitch except for situations. When the coach is pitching the game is not just like real baseball by a long shot at the plate. But I see where your coming from coaching one of these teams. The rules are what they are. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 10:32:18
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| I still say there are instances where a fast runner can execute a bunt that is impossible to defend being restricted by the dizzy dean rules of the pitcher having to stay in the circle until the ball crosses the line. |
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Phattso
143 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 13:38:39
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quote:
Originally posted by BREAMKING
quote:
Originally posted by Phattso
Bream: I understand what you are saying, but it is what it is. My team can go toe to toe with any team out there, but the bunt is a part of every good team's offense. We also run like maniacs on the bases, should we not do that since it's forcing the other team to make and catch throws? Bottom line, we take what the defense gives us, just like real baseball.
I agree it is what it is. But running the bases is a part of regular baseball. Bunting when it is coach pitch and it is just getting served up there is not very hard to do for a 8yr. old kid. I just do not understand bunting when it is coach pitch except for situations. When the coach is pitching the game is not just like real baseball by a long shot at the plate. But I see where your coming from coaching one of these teams. The rules are what they are.
You would think 7 and 8 yo kids would be able to bunt, but it's not that easy. I agree that using the bunt in situations is best, but if I see a kid not taking good swings or not seeing the ball, I will call a bunt just to get him to focus on the ball hitting the bat. I'd prefer all of my kids get up there and crush the ball, but as we know, that's not realistic every game or every time up.
And another comment was made about a fast kid laying down a bunt and it being impossible to defend. In Dizzy Dean, the 3rd baseman should be playing up on that kid anyways and as soon as the batter squares, it's full speed ahead without having to worry about the "butcher boy". |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 14:45:23
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Coach pitch is not regular baseball - first of all. Secondly, bunting on a regular basis is not part of regular baseball either. You may see one or two bunts in a regular baseball game in specific situations. Bunting constantly for base hits at a young age is akin to a trick play used to take advantage of these young kids. I don't care who the coach or team is, it not real baseball. Come on guys, play the game the right way. It is not all about winning.
If you play on a team that is having this done to them, by all means, teach your kids how to defend it. They will need this as part of their skill set as they get older. But do not stoop to the other team's level by doing it to someone else. Play with integrity. |
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bigcatsdad
22 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 08:37:05
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| Sorry. On my son's travel team in Texas at 9 (first yr of kid pitch). If you couldn't bunt at 9, sorry you were on the bench. Yes. It should be taught at a young age so they will be ready at 8 or 9 kid pitch, but not in coach pitch games. You could argue both sides that it would make the players better by defending it. One of the weaker hitters could bunt for a hit in 7 out of 10 situations. He knew if he didn't he would be on the bench. Maybe some of you think that's too young to set the bar that high, but it has to be done at some point. You definitely don't want them out there in high school not being able to bunt. We see players at ALL levels (even MLB)that can't get a bunt down when needed, sad to say it is a lost art. |
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Slider
26 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 10:16:32
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| At these younger ages, what is the best way to defense a bunt? How can you set your defense so as to discourage teams from bunting on you? |
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12uCoach
357 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 14:15:03
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| Watched an 10U Kid pitch team bunt a poor slow third baseman to death, coach kept trying to move him closer and closer, but kid was afraid of them not bunting, so the coach had the third baseman wear a mask... So the coach of the team that was bunting, showed bunt, pulled back on the pitch ( butcher boy / slash / other names ) and put the ball behind the short stop for the next two batters... |
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baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 16:55:10
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| Nice topic: Papa's grandson did not play with the Bandit's until they were 9 although I have heard the legend of the Boynton Bunter's. Papa's take on this and most all other topics is simple: Teach your kids how to play the game, not the part that you like to coach but the entire game. I would bet that the l0 year old Bandit's bunted as much this year as any other 10 year team did. Do you think the foundation of this part of their game might have started when they were 5-6. I do believe that not only the bunting but the defense and the base running all began to take shape in their 6 year old year. I will promise that the game will not all come to them at one time by falling out of the sky. The game should be taught in stages, feeding it to them as they are ready to accept and to execute it. Remember that I said that they are able to accept and execute more than you will believe they can so push them to their limit. The bunt is as much a part of baseball as the home run so teach it all. Opposing Coaches, If you are concerned that you are going to face a bunting team, dedicate a practice to the bunt and stop the darn thing. |
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Phattso
143 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 21:30:41
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quote:
Originally posted by baseballpapa
Nice topic: Papa's grandson did not play with the Bandit's until they were 9 although I have heard the legend of the Boynton Bunter's. Papa's take on this and most all other topics is simple: Teach your kids how to play the game, not the part that you like to coach but the entire game. I would bet that the l0 year old Bandit's bunted as much this year as any other 10 year team did. Do you think the foundation of this part of their game might have started when they were 5-6. I do believe that not only the bunting but the defense and the base running all began to take shape in their 6 year old year. I will promise that the game will not all come to them at one time by falling out of the sky. The game should be taught in stages, feeding it to them as they are ready to accept and to execute it. Remember that I said that they are able to accept and execute more than you will believe they can so push them to their limit. The bunt is as much a part of baseball as the home run so teach it all. Opposing Coaches, If you are concerned that you are going to face a bunting team, dedicate a practice to the bunt and stop the darn thing.
Thank you Papa. A foundation is being built with the team I have coached the last 2 summers. We have had much success and bunting is a small part of it. As Papa mentioned, we also take pride in base running and our defense. Honestly, why not follow the recipe this 10U Bandits team has success from? Speed, Defense and doing all the little things it takes to win a game. And of course the passion to get better every time you step on the field, coach or player. |
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momof12
20 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2009 : 00:29:43
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| A little known fact about the "legend of the Boynton Bunters" is that they faced a much less talented group of boys from Chickamauga in the District. The Chickamauga crew had never been able to beat them before. The Chickamauga coaches put in the bunt for that game and won. However, when the two teams faced off again, the Bandits were prepared for it and, of course, defeated Chickamauga. Point is that the Chickamauga coach found a way to win--which is the reason for playing the game at that time of the year and the Boynton coaches learned that they had to defend the bunt and taught their kids to do that. In the end, both teams learned something and boys from both teams became better ball players. I have heard Bandit coaches say that they learned something from that loss and took what they learned and made it a part of their future games/attacks....and the legend continues... |
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Bunt or not to Bunt in coach pitch
