Which is Easier to Do?

[Blzer]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

right...I couldn't remember the proper name for it.

Oh, right. Anyway, that is really not common at all, and should not be considered a sacrifice bunt. Actually, according to the name, it isn't.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

A sacrifice fly is much harder than a sacrifice bunt. More often that not you will go to the plate with a runner on first and/or second than a runner at third. The probability itself is reason enough to why it's harder.

Heck, I think Mark Loretta led the league last year in Sacrifice Flies with 6 or 7... I might be wrong if he led or not, but the number is definitely not high.

[mjb2124]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

I've probably seen MANY more "safety squeezes" than "suicide squeezes". The problem is that many announcers have no idea what they're looking at. Anytime a runner goes from third and the batter bunts, they think it's a "suicide squeeze" when in actuality, it's the "safety squeeze".

As for the question, a sac bunt is MUCH easier. It's not even close. However, they should both count for the same amount of points IMO.

[genrelativity]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

For one thing, to have a succesful sac bunt, the ball must be placed on the right or left side of the field depending on where the runner is. Second thing is, the ball can be neither hit to hard so that the fielder can field the ball and fire to 2nd or 3rd nor can it be hit to softly for the catcher will just field it and throw out the lead runner. Also, if the bunted into the air, there is a high chance of doubling up the runner, especially if he is running on the pitch. For a squeeze play, the bunt must be as close to perfect as possible. You must make the catcher come away from the plate to field the ball, or bunt it far enough so that the pitcher is running away from home plate and must take the out at 1st base.

For a sac fly, the ball must be hit into the outfield for obvious reasons, and must be hit deep enough so that the runner at 3rd (presumably) can tag up. The question to ask here is, do players practice bunts more often than they do trying to drive a runner in. No, how many times do you see a hapless pitcher (especially in the AL) trying to lay down a bunt only to pop it up. So for me I would say that a sac bunt is harder than the sac fly. Just because the ball doesn't go as far, doesn't mean that it is easier to execute the play. It's about finesse.

[Blzer]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

Ball placement, if practiced (which it is GREATLY), becomes very easy. Even with junk pitches; I heard it's easier to bunt a curveball than a fastball. That doesn't make the fastball any harder to bunt, though.

[genrelativity]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

Yea I agree, but there are very few players that actually practice bunting.

[Blzer]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

Yea I agree, but there are very few players that actually practice bunting.

Well, they all do for their first two pitches of BP (I'm exaggerating, but a lot of them do). Believe me, if you want to be in the majors these days, unless you're expected to put up 25 home runs your first year, you must be able to: 1) Lay down a bunt, and 2) Hit opposite field. This applies even more for college, along with being able to steal a base.

[mgoblue]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

Well, they all do for their first two pitches of BP (I'm exaggerating, but a lot of them do). Believe me, if you want to be in the majors these days, unless you're expected to put up 25 home runs your first year, you must be able to: 1) Lay down a bunt, and 2) Hit opposite field. This applies even more for college, along with being able to steal a base.

then why do you see a lot of major leaguers get a couple strikes on them when bunting? though it is a lot easier to notice a sacrifice bunt that was screwed up than a sac fly that was screwed up (perhaps a player wasn't necessarily trying to hit a sac fly, but you obviously know when they are bunting)

[Blzer]

Re: Which is Easier to Do?

I don't know. I don't see that often, at least not with people that are sacrifice bunting.

As for the original question, you do get the same amount of points. For a sac bunt (that doesn't score a run), you get 1 point. For a sac fly (since it does score a run), you get 1 point.