A Pitcher's Job For Fielding Bunts

One of the pitcher's jobs is to know what he is doing in a bunt situation.  On a regular bunt the pitcher should bust off the mound directly to the baseball.  Step just outside of the baseball with his throwing side leg.  If the baseball is still, the pitcher should pick it up with his bare hand.  If the baseball is still rolling the pitcher should field it with both hands.  Fielding the baseball on the outside foot will position your weight already over your backside.  Now all the pitcher has to do is shift his weight and throw a strike to first.  In a bunt situation the coach will usually have plays on where you are throwing to or what you are trying to do.  In most cases it is the pitchers job to field the ball straight in front of them.  Sometimes however, they may need to cover the 3rd base side.  When this is the case, the pitcher should come set, throw a strike, and bust straight to the 3rd base line.  You should not wait for the baseball to be bunted and read it.  Throw a strike and head towards the line.  Throwing a strike is key in bunt situations because you want them to bunt it.  You have a play on that will get the guy you want out, out.  So why not throw a strike down the middle for them to bunt it?  Also in bunt situations the pitcher must make sure they come set.  You do not want to balk and move a runner over and do the job for the hitter.  That is the worse case scenario.  Come set, check the runner, throw a strike, and field the bunt.  The catcher should be yelling where he wants you to throw the baseball so listen and react.  By being good at fielding bunts you will be able minimize the guys who the other team can have bunt on you.  This makes you that much more better and gives you more of a chance to win each baseball game.