A well timed bunt can be one of the best effective weapons in the game of baseball. The art of bunting has not been mastered by too many. When a baseball bunt is placed in exactly the right spot, it cannot be defended easily if at all. Although it seems like something easy to execute compared to a full swing at the ball, baseball bunting demands a lot of hard work to perfect and proves very difficult without the proper techniques.

There are several different kinds and causes for bunts. A batter can bunt to simply advance a runner over or it can be done to get on base. When someone 'drag' bunts they are usually trying to get on-base, so they will show bunt at the last second to avoid tipping off the infielders of their goal.

When trying to advance a base-runner it is better that you square up sooner because you are more likely to get the bunt down and it is that much more important to execute the bunt properly, especially if a base-runner is stealing. Sometimes you can square up well before the pitch to draw an infielder in on a steal play. Very good base-hitters can do what is sometimes called a 'slap' bunt in which a batter displays bunt early and then draws it back at the last moment to swing away, usually aiming at the infielder who was drawn in. When a batter squares at the last moment and makes contact all in one motion it is also sometimes referred to as a 'slap' bunt.

The desired direction of the bunt depends on the situation, such as where the infielders are set up, runners on base, and how many outs. There should never be a bunt back to the pitcher.

Fundamentally, you want to have the bat square to the pitcher and as the ball approaches, you either push a little bit or pull a little bit with your bottom hand to direct the ball in a desired direction. Your top hand should move up just below the barrel with the bat resting on your fist and your thumb behind it giving support. Under no conditions do you wrap your hand around the baseball bat or put it on the barrel. The bat head should remain slightly up to prevent 'popping' the ball up. You want to be slightly leaning forward over and bent at the knees. The only adjustment to get to a higher or lower pitch will be made at the knees.

Joe Rodgers has taught at all competitive levels of baseball.