Is bunting to break up a no-hitter a violation of baseball's unwritten rules?

class · Veteran Member

Is bunting to break up a no-hitter a violation of baseball's unwritten rules?

The_Hurricane · Grand Poobah

We had a thread about this very subject when one league player had a no-hitter going and someone attempted a bunt (at this time I don't recall if the bunt was succesful).

I do remember terms like "cheap" and "bush league" being thrown about rather liberally. I had a few posts in the thread defending the person who layed down the bunt saying it was his job to get on base and not his job to swing away just to give the pitcher a better shot at a no-hitter.

Does a centerfielder have to pull up on a ball he could make a diving attempt at just because the hitter has a 35 game hitting streak? Or because that batter has a .395 average in September? Why should a hitter not be afforded that same courtesy if we're just going to try to hand a pitcher a no-hitter by not trying to get on?

Doesn't make any sense to me, but some take offense to it.

For the record, I do believe the pitcher who had the no-hitter going did not chime in on that thread.

EDIT:

Here's The Link to the Thread. It has been locked but it's a great read.

-- Edited by The_Hurricane on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 02:14:50 PM

Brian24 · Member

If the no-hitter to be is a 1-0, or 2-0, heck even 3-0 game in the 6th inning of a seven inning game, then I can almost see it. Low scoring game, etc... I know, anything can happen. But, once you are bunting for absolutely zero strategic purpose outside of acknowledging that you are incapable of swinging a bat and hitting a ball...Look out. If I were the pitcher, and I am not, I would hit the next guy, the guy after that, and then throw into the dugout. I kid, but some would not.

There is absolutely no strategic value to bunting in a 4, or 5 run game. Ask yourself this question, if it was 6-2, 7-2, etc...would you be bunting? If the answer is no, then swing the damn bat, if the answer is yes, please make sure we are NEVER on the same team.

B. Donnelly
35 Nationals

The_Hurricane · Grand Poobah

I know you and I went back and forth on this topic last time Brian and I don't see any value in rehashing those posts here - can we just agree that we both like living in a country and playing in a league where we can have debates like this and still have a frosty beverage or two after the game?

On a side note you'll be happy to know that despite your threat to shove the fat end of the bat up my ass if I bunted on you last season

I've worked on my hitting so I no longer need to bunt as my sole means of getting on base. Last year, I hit .284!!!!!

I had fun playing on your team and I look forward to playing against you again this year. Just make sure you're catching for when I lay one down.

-- Edited by The_Hurricane on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 02:57:14 PM

Brian24 · Member

Not sure what that has to do with bunting, but sure, we can agree on that.

Don't think I ever made any threats to do bodily harm to anyone, unless of course you bunt in the 6th inning of a no-hitter in which I am pitching (would never happen as I could never pitch), so pretty sure we are safe there.

pkw1217 · Three Star Guru

is it wrong to enjoy reading about the baseball fantasies of some of the people in this league?
just curious

p.s.- they are fantasies, right guys??? guys????

jmartin · Two Star Guru

Great post Ed -

The most obvious answer is that the score of the game dictates whether a bunt in this circumstance is appropriate or not. If it gives your team a legitamate chance to win the ballgame,by all means drop one down, no-hitter or not.
However , bunting just for the sake of trying to break up the no-no, late in the game, trailing by 4 or more would be considered a violation of the unwritten rules by most players.
Most of us who play want the respect of our fellow teammates and opponents. We know the guys that battle through injuries to compete and help their teams prevail.
I would be just as uncomfortable with a teammate as I would for an opponent who broke up a no-no that way in an uncompetitive game.

I'm reminded of a similar incident growing up in my small town. My older brother Paul, who I am still trying to get to come over here, had a perfect game going in the last inning of a Babe Ruth game. With two outs, the opposing Coach told his last hitter to squat down as small as possible, essentially creating about a two inch strike zone. Mind you, the game was way out of hand. Three pitches later, the kid was out and Paul had his perfect game.
More than thirty years later, whenever I see that Coach, I still remember the disrespectful way he acted. Baseball players have long memories!!

The_Hurricane · Grand Poobah

Brian24 wrote:

Don't think I ever made any threats to do bodily harm to anyone,

It was tongue in cheek, but when we played you last year in a game on a day that was particularly hot and we were getting killed in the fifth - you were catching, it was hotter than hell, you were exhausted, there were two outs and you said (and I quote),

"Currier, if you lay down a bunt right now, I'm gonna shove the fat end of the bat up your ass."

We both laughed about it because it was the first time we played against each other since the debate on the original thread.

See you on the field soon, and look for the bunt!

Brian24 · Member

I meant it writing, that would never hold up in a court of law.

See you soon Rob, best of luck this year.

slounello · Guru

I have no problem with a guy bunting in order to break up a no-hitter in a game that's out of reach as long as he doesn't have a problem being a little uneasy in the batter's box the next time he comes up.

jdalton · Guru

As soon as the hands start to go up the bat, the ball is going up and in.....

pkw1217 · Three Star Guru

how do you guys sit comfortably on those hard asses?
p.s.- jim dalton,i am completely taken aback with your callous disregard for the welfare of our league members.

The_Hurricane · Grand Poobah

So who on here is going to throw up and in on Evan Longoria?

pkw1217 · Three Star Guru

nobody is throwing up on Evan Longoria. we play in the cdmsbl, and he is a major leaguer. for real.

Gino · Senior Member

Yeah, but I think he's been a Guest on the bulletin board several times, and don't steal his hat...

Gino