Purpose:
This drill helps players improve hand-eye coordination and develop precise bunting skills using a skinny bat, which requires greater focus and control. It’s a great warm-up that sharpens a player’s ability to lay down accurate bunts in various game situations.

Setup:

  • Divide players into pairs, with one player acting as the batter and the other as the pitcher.
  • Each batter should have a skinny bat (or broom handle if skinny bats are not available).
  • The pitcher stands 15-20 feet away from the batter and underhand tosses the ball.

Instructions:

  1. The pitcher will underhand toss the ball, and the batter will attempt to bunt it using the skinny bat.
  2. After several repetitions, rotate pairs so that each player gets a turn to both pitch and bunt.

Coaching Tips:

  • Make sure the batter gets the bat head out over the plate to ensure they can make good contact with the ball.
  • Emphasize soft hands when making contact with the ball to keep the bunt controlled and directed.
  • Use this drill as a warm-up before games to get players focused on precision and control.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Encourage younger players to focus on the ball all the way to the bat. Remind them to track the ball from the pitcher’s hand to the point of contact.
  • Teach younger players to position their body squarely to the pitcher with a balanced stance to ensure control when they make contact.
  • Help younger athletes understand the importance of keeping their hands soft and controlling the ball’s direction by focusing on gently absorbing the ball with the bat.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • Challenge older players to adjust their hand placement for better control, ensuring their top hand gently “guides” the bat without overgripping.
  • Encourage more experienced athletes to practice directional bunting, learning to control where the ball goes by angling the bat properly based on the situation (e.g., down the third or first baseline).
  • Focus on consistency for older athletes, emphasizing the importance of getting multiple quality bunts in a row to simulate game pressure and precision.