Lesson 3: The Sacrifice Job

Today's Lesson

“The out is the price. The base is the product.”

On a sacrifice you trade one out for one base, on purpose, and the trade only works if the bunt goes down. Any bunt that moves the runner is a win, even if you’re out by 20 feet. Half-committed bunters pop up or pull back.

Show early. The defense already knows it’s coming, so get squared as the pitcher’s front foot lands and use the extra time to get set and still. Then point the barrel. For the third base line, pull the bottom hand slightly in toward your body and push the top hand out so the bat face points to third. Target: 15–20 feet up the line, fair. With a runner on first, third is the longer throw and the harder play.

Why It Matters

Late squares mean rushed hands and bad angles. Stillness beats disguise on a sacrifice, and a ball placed up the third base line makes the defense earn the out.

Today's Work

• Timing (5 minutes): partner mimes the delivery. Be squared and still as the front foot lands, 10 times.
• Angle (5 minutes): dry squares in a mirror. Bottom hand in, top hand out, barrel points to third.
• Live (10 minutes): 20 sacrifice bunts off front toss to third base. Bucket or glove 15 feet up the line as the target.
• Finish with 5 bunts where you’re told “runner on first” and must get the bunt down on the first strike.

Track It

Count targets hit out of 20 and how many reps you were set before release. Note any pop-ups and what the barrel was doing.

Next: Lesson 4 adds the first base line, the pitch you must take, and the sacrifice with runners at first and second.