Precision Bunting Through Small Ball Training

The ability to lay down a bunt is crucial for all hitters. Although the ability to “sacrifice” yourself for the good of the team may not earn an athlete a twitter following, it is an important skill that can be the deciding factor in a ballgame. The bunt may not be commonplace as it has been in the past; however, coaches are always looking for somebody to handle the bat effectively, especially in a late game situation

One particular way a player can improve their bunting is by training with balls smaller than a baseball/softball. A hitter should place a bucket (or some kind of marker that can "catch" the balls) on each side of the diamond - first base side and third base side - and alternate attempts to bunt the ball into the respective buckets.

The best way to practice this drill is with a MaxBP machine and BetterBat Skinny Barrel Training Bat. As the hitter practices bunting it is essential to “catch” the ball with the bat. Exactly like when you have your glove on, don't stab at the ball, but let the ball come to you and then “give” a little more to deaden the ball. An athlete can also move the buckets in different locations to work on accuracy. Sometimes, in a game, a hitter is looking to bunt for a base hit, particularly in today’s game with all the defensive shifts. If this is the case, the player should place the bucket closer to the foul lines and practice bunting to that location.

This is a fantastic drill for athletes nine years and older, although younger players should focus on one bucket location at a time to simplify the drill. This drill is good to practice every day, even if it for a few minutes, because bunting is invaluable. The essential tools for this drill include: a bucket or two, a MaxBP machine, a game bat (or BetterBat Skinny Barrel Training Bat and a minimum of 20 wiiffle balls.

The skills learned from this exercise can help a hitter’s ability to handle the bat, and the small balls and thin bat will inevitably work wonders for an athlete’s hand-eye coordination. A hitter will know they are getting the hang of the drill when they are able to “catch” the ball with the bat and they have a nice collection of balls near or inside of their bucket targets.