Glossary
Fake bunt slash
A fake bunt slash is a play in which the batter shows bunt to draw the corner infielders in, then pulls the bat back and swings, hitting the ball hard past them.
In an obvious bunt situation, the first and third basemen charge as the pitch is thrown. The slash punishes that. The batter squares early, as if to sacrifice, and as the corners come in, brings the bat back to a short, compact swing and drives the ball on the ground. A fielder running in has very little time to react, and the middle infielders have left their spots to cover bases.
The swing is short on purpose. The batter is not trying to hit the ball far, only hard and on the ground, through the holes the defense opened when it moved. A line drive straight at a charging fielder can be a double play, so the play suits a hitter with good bat control.
Many teams call it simply the slash; in fastpitch it is also called a slash bunt or a fake bunt and hit. On the wristband it is the Fake Bunt + Hit call. It works best after the team has already bunted in the game, so the defense believes the bunt is coming.
When to call it
- A runner on first, no outs, with a defense that charges hard on every bunt look.
- A batter who has already shown bunt earlier in the game.
- Runners on first and second, where the third baseman has to charge and leaves the line open.
Put it on a card: Baseball and softball signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a slash the same as a slap?
No. A slap is a fastpitch hit in which a left-handed batter runs through the box as they make contact. A slash is a fake bunt followed by a short swing from a normal stance.
When should a batter show the bunt on a slash?
Early enough for the corners to commit and charge, usually as the pitcher starts the delivery, so the batter has time to bring the bat back for the swing.
More in the glossary
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