Baseball 101: Carlos Gomez and the bunt
Fifteen games into our young season, new CF Carlos Gomez is looking most comfortable in his new environs, as evidenced by his sound batting average (.262), his confident body language manning center field (0 Errors; 1 Assist), and in oft-demonstrating his well-documented speed.
Gomez, in fact, leads the majors with 9 steals (having been caught just once).
But while we're collectively enjoying the youngster's celerity and flash, it needs to be noted that, should Gomez truly grow to be one of the league's top leadoff men (especially in the A.L.), he will no doubt need to refine two very specific skills: hitting the ball to right field and bunting
Here in the Bread Basket -- as Gomez will surely come to learn -- we're big on the basics, the fundamental foundations of baseball. And although Gomez reached based with a bunt single last night, it seems that most conversations I've had regarding the kid involve his present inability to lay down a sacrifice bunt -- intentionally giving up his at-bat to move along a base runner.
As a longtime coach, here are some of the basic tenets of bunting I've passed along to my ballers:
#1: It's a sac bunt. You know you're going to lay it down, as do the bulk of your opponents. So square early, by pivoting both feet toward the pitcher in an athletic position with knees bent. (Some coaches instruct you to move your back foot around to parallel with the front, so the chest is fully facing the pitcher. I never liked this, as it runs the risk of stepping on the plate and thereby being called out by rule should the ball be put in play).
#2 Slide the top hand up toward the barrel, performing a "Fonzie" with the bat resting on all curled fingers, and the thumb raised. The lower hand acts as axis. The upper hand regulates the feel, or touch.
#3 Get the bat out in front of the body, with the barrel tilted up and the handle down. A ball bunted employing this angle will greatly enhance downward movement, while also greatly reducing the chance of a pop-up.
#4 While reacting to the pitch, use the knees to direct the necessary height of the bat position -- not the arms. The arms should remain in place, extended. We have less control of placement when the bat is too close to our chest.
#5 Watch the ball make contact with the bat- focusing the eyes on the barrel.
#6 Be soft with the hands. It's okay to allow the force of the ball to impress the bat back toward you slightly, creating english and touch. We don't want a ball bunted with too much force, going right back to the pitcher or respective corner infielder. Don't "punch" at the ball, allow it to come to your ready hands.
#7 Run like Hell.
Here are a few examples of both good and untoward bunting:
I don't like this guy. Note the poor angle of the barrel. This ball is certain to be popped-upward. In addition, the grip of his top hand is more Potsy than Fonzie. An 85-mph fastball won't do any favors for those exposed knuckles.
This guy is far better. The bat is tilted properly, and top handed is masked, and look at where the eyes are focused.
Young Gomez has already shown us a great deal in his first month as a Twin. If such promise is indicative of future results, this too shall come in time.
Lastly, as an homage to our greatest bunter of modern day, please enjoy this super-chill and romantic tribute to Omar Vizquel:
Blogger's Note: On a very personal level, the greatest congratulations go to my little brother (a fine bunter in his own right) who just this morning learned that he passed the MN Bar Exam. Way to go, kid.
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