By the end of the day today, the Cubs players will have practiced more bunt attempts than they did all of last year. I'm so glad Quade is not here. He will be a distant memory very soon...

Very good idea... in fact there should be 'competition' at every level in the program teaching this basic skill... it still blows me away sometimes to think this was automatic in high school to learn how to bunt properly...

This should happen at short season A ball... right up the ladder IMHO...

I use to do things like this for the high school team I coached. But I also extended it into the season, players and pitchers got points for certain things and lost points for certain things. The overall winner got a prize at the end of the year.

It was always a lot of fun and led to some healthy competition which always brings out the best in people

bunting is ok if..

the pitcher is up and a man is on
koyie hill is up and a man is on
maybe even if darwin barney is up

Its also ok to attempt every once in a while to bunt for a base hit (if you have the speed to pull it off). THat helps keep the infield in a bit at all times. This isa good tool for guys like Bourn.

Thats about it as far as my use of bunting goes.

<<I can't wait for the #5 or #6 hitter laying down a sacrifice >>

First Day Updates:

Pitchers advancing in #Cubs bunt tourney include Beliveau, Castillo, McNutt, Dolis, Rhee, Rusin, Maine & Coleman

Coleman ends day by beating Mateo
Maine rallies past Blake Parker
Chris Rusin over strength guru Tim Buss.
Rhee over Gaub as Gaub goes big for 100 but cannot hit it
Dolis over J. Jax.
McNutt over Carrillo
Lendy Castillo beats Casey Weathers
Cabrera bows to #1 seed Beliveau

---

Edited 2/23/2012 3:05 pm by skokiejoe

Although I am not a fan of giving up outs, bunting is an aspect of the game. In that sense it is important to practice all aspects of the game. You never know when you will have to put a little used aspect of the game into play. If the Cubs only pratice bunting in spring training, they will become inefficient in its use by mid-season. All aspects need to practiced throughout the season to keep those skills finely honed.

<<The overall winner got a prize at the end of the year.>>

It's a good thing you didn't coach college. That would probably be an NCAA violation. ;)

haha it was usually like a pizza or movie tickets(nothing more than $15), nothing big

I just can't wait for Sveum to utilize the bunt in an unlikely situation hopefully to help win a ballgame or two so that these statheads can fume at the TV.

bunting is ok if..

the pitcher is up and a man is on
koyie hill is up and a man is on
maybe even if darwin barney is up

Its also ok to attempt every once in a while to bunt for a base hit (if you have the speed to pull it off). THat helps keep the infield in a bit at all times. This isa good tool for guys like Bourn.

Thats about it as far as my use of bunting goes.

<<I can't wait for the #5 or #6 hitter laying down a sacrifice >>

Bunting is a lost art that should be used more often. If the infield plays a bit too far back, lay one down. If you're down by a run or tied in the 7th Inning on and a runner is on base you could absolutely lay one down depending on how the infield is playing and what ballpark you are playing in.

Bunting is great.

Those were someone else's words. (he knows I'm screwing with him)

I agree with you 100%.

good...I was hoping to give you more credit than that...

Hi,

It's good to see the Cubbies working on bunting & other fundamentals during ST !! I also heard they will be working on them during the season, as well!!! :o)

well said... there's no reason to not be prepared... and then be successful at a time when it's needed... being professionals (and paid millions) should make players WANT to be the best they are capable of... doesn't always happen that way though...

My coach in High School had us do bunting drills before he'd let us do batting practice. He said it helps to get your 'eye' in before you actually start hitting the ball in earnest. I didn't have much power so learning to bunt better gave me an extra edge. I would think that anything that gives players an extra 'edge' at the plate is totally worth it, bunting isn't very 'sexy' in the great scheme of things but if done properly in all the right situations you'll see it reflected in a better Win total and that's the bottom line to Win!

you sir... are correct.

Having confidence to be able to do something successfully always beats not having that confidence...

Maybe it's just my perception now that i'm almost 50 but it always seemed that pitchers and players in general bunted better when i saw them play in the 60's and 70's. Now there are a few very good bunters but above all i think the standard has slipped over the years as hitting the longball is always the most fashionable aspect of hitting so rather than the bunt being used as an important element in any hitting situation, it is almost an afterthought.

I don't think it's just your perception... players in the 60's and 70's had to climb from D ball to C ball and on up the ladder... if they weren't making themselves everything they could be - someone else who was passed them...

Now mega contracts dictate who gets moved up and how fast in too many cases... take a guy like Felix Pie ... he was still incredibly raw when he got to the MLB level... tools galore - but no discipline and too skimpy on the basics... nowadays 'skill set' and potential trump knowing how the game is played... head knowledge and discipline matter way less than 40 years ago...

off to work for me!! woohoo....

+++Now mega contracts dictate who gets moved up and how fast in too many cases... take a guy like Felix Pie ... he was still incredibly raw when he got to the MLB level... tools galore - but no discipline and too skimpy on the basics... nowadays 'skill set' and potential trump knowing how the game is played... head knowledge and discipline matter way less than 40 years ago...+++

Sad but true willy. I've been watching the 1985 World Series all this week and i was marvelling at the play of George Brett, there was a true professional, i get the feeling that if Howser had've asked him to bunt for a hit he would've without hesitation, even though he was a power/line drive hitter. That sort of player is few and far between in the big leagues these days.