In every instance, when an opposing batter squares to bunt, the pitcher should throw a high strike, preferably around the arm pits. This is the hardest pitch to bunt, and often the batter bunts the ball up into the air. Such a bunt presents a good possibility for a double play to be made. Our bunt defenses are primarily designed to provide help for the pitcher on at least one side of the mound. As much as possible, we want our pitcher to be our primary bunt fielder.
Catchers are the main fielders for bunts on the dirt arc in front of home plate.
When the ball is bunted too far from home plate for the catcher to field it, his job is to quarterback the play. With the play directly in front of him, the catcher should yell to the fielder what base to make the throw. Only throw to a base where a sure out can be made. To defense bunts we use three basic defenses. Although we can signal the play with a number code, we also use a convenient keyword to describe them.