In softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Bunt to the pitcher with bases empty, the play goes to first.
Play:
| Situation: | Bases empty |
| Offense: | Bunt to pitcher |
| Defense: | Play goes to first |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base |
| Catcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base (Note 2) |
| 1st base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base |
| 2nd base: | Cover first base |
| 3rd base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base (Note 2) |
| Shortstop: | Cover second base |
| Left: | Move toward third base for back up or cover third base if the third baseman can not return to his position if a throwing error occurred |
| Center: | Move toward second base for back up |
| Right: | Back up the throw to first base |
| Note 1: | With softball and 12U baseball having 60 foot bases, the infielders do not have time to attempt to field the bunt and cover the base. Therefore, the infielders either focus on fielding the bunt or covering the base, but not both. |
| Note 2: | If at all possible, either 3B or C should attempt to field the bunt. The priorities are:
- 3B - they are already moving toward first base when they arrive at the ball
- C - if they take a proper approach, they will circle the ball and be moving toward first when they pick up the ball
- P - a windmill pitch and overhand throw use two different muscle groups. It is not uncommon for a pitcher to throw over 100 windmill pitches in a seven inning game. Having a pitcher change their throwing muscle group under pressure to get the runner out leads to a higher probability of a throwing error.
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