Bunting to break up a perfect game

[Northern Star]

I say go for it. Pitcher doesn't like it, tough. Any pitcher really thinks a team is just going to roll over for him because he's perfect through a few innings? Pitcher can't throw a perfect game without the help of the defense, so let's see how well they defend a surprise bunt.

[italstallianion]

I think it's cheap and weak. A team should earn its first hit.

[redsoxrules]

well it depends on the score

 

if its a blowout , then its week

BUT if its a 1-0 score , you do anything to get on base

[italstallianion]

If a batter tried to do it to me, he'd get the next pitch in the cranium. Especially if I've already walked a batter or there's been an error, so I'd only be concerned with preserving a no-hitter.

[YeAuldBroade]

Any player that bunted to break up a perfect game or a no-no would have a target on his helmet by every pitcher in MLB including those on his own team. It's just simply not friggin' done.

[Northern Star]

Any player that bunted to break up a perfect game or a no-no would have a target on his helmet by every pitcher in MLB including those on his own team. It's just simply not friggin' done.

 

Some of these unwritten rules are just stupid, and this is one. There's the fair territory right in front of you, infield and outfield. The name of the game is to put bat on ball in such a way that the fielder can't get you out before you get to at least 1B. So I don't see why bunting is "cheap." You're actually giving them a better chance to get you out than a base hit to the OF. I wonder if it was very different in the early days of the game, when the bunt and Baltimore chop were more parts of the game?

 

I remember Schilling whining about losing a perfect game attempt this way a few years ago and all I could think of was STFU dude.

[Northern Star]

well it depends on the score

 

if its a blowout , then its week

BUT if its a 1-0 score , you do anything to get on base

 

I agree with this, if you are losing 8-0 it would be a douche move. Same as stealing when up by 7.

[italstallianion]

Any player that bunted to break up a perfect game or a no-no would have a target on his helmet by every pitcher in MLB including those on his own team. It's just simply not friggin' done.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I'd peg the guy for multiple at bats afterwards as well. You just don't do it. It's disrespectful, cheap, and it's an unwritten rule for a f***** reason.

[Youk Of The Nation]

If you're losing 1-0 and it's the sixth, I don't think I'd have a problem.

 

If you're losing 7-0 in the ninth and you bunt with a perfect game on the line, you deserve to take a 95mph fastball in the brainpan every at bat against that team for the rest of your life

[Northern Star]

Now that I think about it' date=' I'd peg the guy for multiple at bats afterwards as well. You just don't do it. It's disrespectful, cheap, and it's an unwritten rule for a f***** reason.[/quote']

 

Unless it's against the Yankees, of course.

[Palodios]

The first priority of a team is to win. Once it becomes clear that with the way a pitcher is throwing the ball, you're not going to do that, that is when bunting becomes cheap-- if you know he's not going to make it home, why screw a pitcher to get a guy on first?

[YeAuldBroade]

There are unwritten rules that any player with any respect for the game knows. You break the rules expect to get your ass whipped, repeatedly, and be out of the game much sooner than you expect. It's simple f***ing respect. Someone on his way to a no-no or a perfect game you don't "beat" him with a cheap ass stupid bunt. You simply don't. You beat him with the swing of a bat, if you can, otherwise you suck on it. Respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! It's more than just a catchy song.

 

Players and fans should learn to respect the game. They should learn why things happen and why they don't.

[MDF3530]

What the heck is disrespectful about trying to win the game?

[italstallianion]

What the heck is disrespectful about trying to win the game?

 

 

 

By doing it cheaply. One of these days, I'm going to slip and use the "J" word to describe it, but still, it's f***** cheap. If you can't get on base in a big league manner, than you don't deserve to be on base. Bunting is for minor leaguers and softballers.

[Keeper]

If you're losing 1-0 and it's the sixth, I don't think I'd have a problem.

 

If you're losing 7-0 in the ninth and you bunt with a perfect game on the line, you deserve to take a 95mph fastball in the brainpan every at bat against that team for the rest of your life

 

This.

[Youk Of The Nation]

By doing it cheaply. One of these days' date=' I'm going to slip and use the "J" word to describe it, but still, it's f***** cheap. If you can't get on base in a big league manner, than you don't deserve to be on base. Bunting is for minor leaguers and softballers.[/quote']

 

J word?

[Youk Of The Nation]

Unless it's against the Yankees' date=' of course.[/quote']

 

No. I wish Mussina had gotten his. Not only because it would have been awesome (perfect games always are) but also because Carl Everett is an enormous douchebag.

[yankees228]

J word?

 

Probably 'Jewish', because it's so fun to perpetuate ridiculous stereotypes!

 

As for the actual topic, I have a hard time standing behind unwritten rules, because of their subjective nature, unless they're unwritten rules because of the potential for injury (such as not straddling second base on a steal attempt).

[Chamomile]

By doing it cheaply. One of these days' date=' I'm going to slip and use the "J" word to describe it, but still, it's f***** cheap. If you can't get on base in a big league manner, than you don't deserve to be on base. Bunting is for minor leaguers and softballers.[/quote']

 

If you were talking steroids that would be one thing, but bunting has been a legal part of major league baseball for over a century.

[Jasonbay44]

I don't have a problem with it, unwritten rules are stupid. A player is paid to get on base anyway possible and bunting is one of the ways to get on base. I don't care what the score is, the game isn't over till the final out. If the other teams pitcher gets mad then I guess you'll have to live with pissing off an opponent. I mean, would you honestly want to have a perfect game pitched against you? I wouldn't, I don't care if my team was going to lose anyway, you don't want to be no hit or have a perfect game thrown against you.

 

Again, unwritten rules are pretty stupid. Bunting for a hit isn't risking an injury, it isn't showing up a team, its trying to get on base and give your team a shot at winning. As I said earlier, a game is never over. I'm sure Red Sox fans remember that game against the Orioles last year. Sox blew a 10 run lead against a horrible Orioles team. No lead is insurmountable, which is why in my opinion do whatever it takes to get on base regardless of the score.

[Keeper]

No lead is insurmountable, but it is highly unlikely you'll mount a comeback if the lead is big enough late in a game - especially against a pitcher who is throwing a no-no.

 

When Lester threw his no-no against the Royals, the Sox were winning 7-0 going into the 9th inning. I find it hard to believe you and Dutchy wouldn't have been upset if Alberto Callaspo (who made the last out) had tried to bunt his way on and succeeded with 2 outs. That would have been a dick move on Callaspo's part.

 

Maybe it's hard for people to understand this unwritten rule if they never played baseball. I don't know. It seems pretty obvious to me.

[Emmz]

Its part of the game. If you don't like it, then make sure he gets out. Its not like its fool-proof or unstoppable.

[YAZMAN]

Maybe in the 4th or 5th in a close game, but later in the game or in a situation where you as a run don't make a difference...that's douchebaggery.

[Emmz]

it is, but I've always said if it pisses you off, stop it. Like running up scores and such. It applies in all sports too imo. By that logic, you may has well just forfeit the game and give them it, if its not worth fighting for. To me, this is just my opinion, that's a loser attitude. I agree its probably douchey and disrespectful, but its not against rules, and its not an unstoppable plan. It can be stopped.

[BoSox21]

For some guys, speed is a big part of their game and the ability to get a bunt base hit is part of their arsenal. How are you gonna tell someone they can't use part of their ability just cause there's a perfect game going?

[Emmz]

Also a good point imo

[a700hitter]

My dad, age 91, taught me that it was bush league. It may be unwritten, but some of those unwritten rules are adhered to more than the written rules (e.g. the size of the strike zone). This unwritten rule has been around for a very long time. There are a few exceptions. One exception is if the game is close, and the team being no-hit is fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the season.

[Emmz]

That's a good point about how some unwritten rules are sort of like real rules. However, this is very opinion based, probably won't be many changes in opinions to come from this.

[a700hitter]

That's a good point about how some unwritten rules are sort of like real rules. However' date=' this is very opinion based, probably won't be many changes in opinions to come from this.[/quote']Unwritten rules provoke the most discussion, because they are unwritten. For instance, when does it become Bush League to steal bases. Years ago, when the game was more pitching dominated, a 4 or 5 run lead in the 7th or 8th inning may have been the point when teams stopped running. Today with smaller ballparks, the DH and more runs, that line is higher, but there is still a line. Is it at 10 runs in the 9th? I don't know, but at some point we will hear that one team is pissed off at another team for showing them up by stealing bases after the game was a blowout.

[Keeper]

a700's dad is/was a wise man.