Bunting Target Zones Game
A softball skill game to learn bunting: instead of swinging, the batter catches the pitch with the bat to drop it dead near the foul lines. Points depend on where the ball stops. Students practice bat control, accuracy, and the tactics of a sacrifice bunt.
How to play
- Form 6 groups of 4: pitcher, batter, catcher, and scorer. Each group marks home plate and, along each foul line, two hoops at 10 and 20 ft from home (3 min).
- Technique: the batter pivots to face the pitcher, raises the bat to chest height, slides the top hand to the middle of the bat holding it with fingertips, and bends the knees.
- The pitcher tosses gently underhand from 25 ft. The batter catches the ball with the bat, without pushing, and angles it toward a foul line.
- Points: 3 if the ball stops in a 10 ft hoop, 2 in a 20 ft hoop, 1 if it stays fair, and 0 if it goes foul or rolls past 25 ft.
- Each batter takes 6 bunts, then rotate. Play two full rounds (14 min).
- Finish with a challenge: after the bunt, the pitcher fields it and throws to a teammate at first; the bunt counts double if the batter beats the throw (3 min).
Rules
- Safety: never swing the bat; just set it in front of the ball.
- Keep fingers behind the bat so the ball can't hit them.
- A bunt popped higher than the pitcher's waist doesn't score.
Variations
Easier
Use big hoops and pitch from 20 ft.
Standard
Hoops at 10 and 20 ft, gentle pitch from 25 ft, and 6 bunts each.
Harder
The scorer calls the target line right before each pitch.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student bunts seated and a teammate runs the final race.
- Visual impairment: use a large, bright ball and a verbal cue on release.
- Skill level: students who can't control the bat can start by stopping the ball with a paddle.
Learning goals
- Set the bat and deaden the ball without swinging.
- Direct the ball to a specific area of the field.
- Understand when it makes sense to sacrifice a hit to move runners.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft bats: 6
- soft balls: 12
- hoops: 24
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
The key is to catch the ball with the bat, not hit it; compare it to catching an egg. Check finger position before each round to prevent hits on the hands.
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