PRACTICE 13

As stated from an earlier practice, bunting is a crucial part of the fast-pitch game, especially at the younger ages. If your team can bunt the ball as well as defend it, you have a good chance of being successful.

First 15-20 Minutes (Warm-up)

The warm-up routine is standard: stretching, moderate jog to a finishing sprint. Then, catching, throwing and ground-ball lines. Always stress mechanics. At this point, the girls should be proficient enough at throwing and catching to do it on their own. Have them pair off into two lines, facing each other, and let them throw to themselves. Make sure you leave plenty of room between each girl. If they struggle with this, you can go back to the two or three lines with coaches tossing them the ball.

Next 2 Minutes (Water Break)

Keep your players hydrated with a water break. But have them hustle back on the field.

Next 10 Minutes (Review Hitting)

Review the mechanics of hitting: the grip, stance, stride, hip turn and hand snap. Also, review the mechanics of bunting: stance; turn; placement of the hands; the position and angle of the bat; how to direct the ball; and catching the ball with the bat.

Next 2 Minutes (Water Break)

Keep your players hydrated with a water break. But have them hustle back on the field.

Next 15-20 Minutes (Bunt Plays)

As with most skills you're teaching to the girls, the key is to keep them simple. You can install just three bunt plays and cover every situation.

Bunt 1: The corners (first and third basemen) up, the second baseman covers first, the shortstop covers second. You run this when there's no one on or a runner on first. If there's a runner on first and the batter bunts, and the third baseman doesn't get back, this is when teaching the outfielders to leave no base uncovered (instructed in an earlier practice) comes back to help you.

Bunt 2: Corners up, the second baseman covers first, the shortstop covers third and the center fielder covers second (don't worry about the outfielder covering second and not having a backup). The initial throw will go to third to get the lead runner or to first in order to make sure you get an out.

Bunt 3: This is the 'slap defense.' In this alignment, the third baseman is still up and the first baseman is back covering the bag. The second baseman moves up in the hole between the pitcher and the first-base line. The shortstop covers second, unless there's a runner on second or third and then she covers third. You will need to let her know which base to cover.

Rotate the kids into all the positions, utilizing base runners until the kids have it mastered.

Coaching Point

With bunt 2, teach whoever is catching to make the call to which base to throw based on the position of the runner. Remember in every situation, everyone is moving on contact.

Remaining Time

Congratulate the kids for another great practice. Tell them the next practice time (or game time) and follow up with an e-mail to the parents.