By Richard Rosen
Before we leave the SB for the SF we should quickly look at a pair of related sub-categories, known as the safety squeeze (SaS) and the gruesomely named suicide squeeze (SuS). In both scenarios, there’s a runner at third with fewer than two outs in what’s usually a tight game. But with a SaS, the runner on third hesitates near the third base bag until he’s sure the bunter has laid down a creditable bunt, then breaks for the plate when the involved fielder throws to first. This is known as "better safe than sorry." But on the other hand, with the SuS, the runner on third is hell bent for home the instant the pitch is delivered, faithfully trusting that his bunting team mate can put the ball on the ground. The SuS is, in my opinion, along with the stand-up triple and the long throw from the right field corner to cut down a runner huffing to score, one of the most exciting plays in baseball. Every now and again, not surprisingly, the bunter misses his assignment, and the on-rushing and now doomed runner finds the ball patiently waiting for him at home plate. He is known, aptly, as a "dead duck."
Now while a successful SB does result in an out, no harm befalls the bunter’s batting average. The bunt is noted in its proper column in the record book (usually headed "S"), but the out doesn’t count against the batter’s ABs. It’s odd to think about I guess, but while the team sacrifices an out, the batter really sacrifices nothing; in fact, he’s rewarded with pats on the head for moving the runner up even though he made an out.
TO BE CONTINUED
No comments:
Post a Comment