In softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Bunt to pitcher with runner on third (potential squeeze bunt), the play is based on the catchers directions.
Play:
| Situation: | Runner on third (potential squeeze play) |
| Offense: | Bunt to pitcher |
| Defense: | Play is based on the catchers direction to either home or first base |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and listen to the catchers directions on where to throw the ball |
| Catcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and direct the rest of the play for the fielder to either throw home or to first base (Note 2) |
| 1st base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and listen to the catchers directions on where to throw the ball |
| 2nd base: | Cover first base |
| 3rd base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and listen to the catchers directions on where to throw the ball (Note 2) |
| Shortstop: | Cover third base in case the runner gets too far of the base and gets into a pickle |
| Left: | Move toward third base for back up |
| Center: | Cover second base |
| 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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