The Case Against Small Ball

[RoarMan]

What I think is I do not know, but I do know the ones complaining on here is on a forum and not coaching at the college level which tells me they should have one been hired if they know so much or two they just like to complain. SOME not all of the ones that complain will make you think UL has the greatest team ever when they win a game and the same folks will make you believe this is a terrible team/coach when they lose. I look at it like this is her second season, the team is much improved from last year thus far, the kids seem to love the coaches, we will never be what we were unless the complainers pony up $$$$ to get the needed players in here for that or retain those players, and instead of just enjoying the little thing they complain still living in the 2000's which was a different time and game.

So you think we're living in the 2000s and complaining? No, that is what we are having this discussion about. At times, last year and to a point this year, this team plays like it is 2000, a time when pitching dominated and slapping and small ball had a chance to work. In today's game, that style of play does not work. If it did work, the Cajuns would have won the national championship last year.

[Mark Hemphill]

.....Also as I have stated earlier in my very limited action on here, using "season averages" and "stats" to prove a point or drive home a narrative is flawed and subjective at best. My logic is simply this, I have read about the .300+ averages being allowed to hit and drive in runs for big innings. What are those same averages vs. elite pitching, in big moments of high pressure situations. Nothing against those young ladies (I have coached several and wish every one of them success) but I would think the reality of it is the numbers go way down, hence creating an even higher run probability for the strategic bunt vs. the "big inning".

I am also far from a stats expert but I can almost guarantee that the "big inning" and batting averages diminish significantly against elite pitching. Maybe VO can get us some numbers based on that criteria. I may actually be shocked and learn something new, but then again what is considered "elite" pitching becomes somewhat subjective. LOL

Chris, you make a good point that the quality of pitching, i.e. "elite pitching", should be factored by a coach when deciding to use small ball to advance a runner. The probability of an average hitter getting a hit by swinging away against an elite pitcher decreases statistically. We have all seen instances of .150 hitter getting a big hit to advance and/or score a runner but that type of success is the exception and not the norm. Most coaches would choose to bunt an average hitter against NiJaree Canady to advance a runner more so than having the average hitter swing away. Conversely, teams with a roster of power hitters (like Oklahoma) use small ball to advance a runner a limited number of times, regardless of the quality of pitching they are facing. I looked at 2024 and 2025 stats for Oklahoma and saw that they had 10 sacrifice bunts in 2024 and 22 in 2025. My preference would to use small ball in limited instances, being dictated by the opposing pitching, rather than automatically resorting to small ball to advance a runner irregardless of the pitching quality that you are facing. I would say that this sentiment is probably that of the majority of people who follow this sport. I will say that I went and watched some games this past weekend at the STM Grand Slam tourney in Broussard and was surprised at the number of high school coaches that routinely tried to advance a runner via a sacrifice bunt irregardless of the pitching they were facing simply because the "book" says that what they were supposed to do.

[RoarMan]

Chris, you make a good point that the quality of pitching, i.e. "elite pitching", should be factored by a coach when deciding to use small ball to advance a runner. The probability of an average hitter getting a hit by swinging away against an elite pitcher decreases statistically. We have all seen instances of .150 hitter getting a big hit to advance and/or score a runner but that type of success is the exception and not the norm. Most coaches would choose to bunt an average hitter against NiJaree Canady to advance a runner more so than having the average hitter swing away. Conversely, teams with a roster of power hitters (like Oklahoma) use small ball to advance a runner a limited number of times, regardless of the quality of pitching they are facing. I looked at 2024 and 2025 stats for Oklahoma and saw that they had 10 sacrifice bunts in 2024 and 22 in 2025. My preference would to use small ball in limited instances, being dictated by the opposing pitching, rather than automatically resorting to small ball to advance a runner irregardless of the pitching quality that you are facing. I would say that this sentiment is probably that of the majority of people who follow this sport. I will say that I went and watched some games this past weekend at the STM Grand Slam tourney in Broussard and was surprised at the number of high school coaches that routinely tried to advance a runner via a sacrifice bunt irregardless of the pitching they were facing simply because the "book" says that what they were supposed to do.

Whatever, "book" those coaches are using, should be burned.

[CajunVic]

The reality is, with UL some of the best hitters are called on to bunt.

This directly contradicts your disconnected MLB corollary

all I said was that coaches at all levels and more so at levels below the MLB level strategically use the bunt to advance runners and because to the caliber of batters up and down the lineup in MLB as opposed to all other levels that strategy may not be used as often at the MLB lev
El - I also pointed out that even the best batters on each college diamond sports teams do not come close to reaching the level of batters in the starting lineup at the MLB level so using the MLB stats for strategically using the bunt to advance runners is not an appropriate analysis . . .

[JMV JustMyView]

So we should use batting averages as a reason not to bunt but we rather not use the averages of scoring runs when using the bunt in same discussion?

Got it


As always, I enjoy reading everyone's posts on here regarding the Cajuns' softball team. Regardless of my opinions its always great reads to be honest. Even topics that I read over and have VERY strong opinions on (I always keep those to myself, lol) but I do enjoy giving my completely useless opinion on certain topics. Gives me an opportunity to learn, as I am always open minded.

And some lessons are that there is no reasoning with some. LOL

I'll catch you at the NV game this season and we don't have to talk about bunting. Got a kid that I need to talk to you about.

[JMV JustMyView]

Chris, you make a good point that the quality of pitching, i.e. "elite pitching", should be factored by a coach when deciding to use small ball to advance a runner. The probability of an average hitter getting a hit by swinging away against an elite pitcher decreases statistically. We have all seen instances of .150 hitter getting a big hit to advance and/or score a runner but that type of success is the exception and not the norm. Most coaches would choose to bunt an average hitter against NiJaree Canady to advance a runner more so than having the average hitter swing away. Conversely, teams with a roster of power hitters (like Oklahoma) use small ball to advance a runner a limited number of times, regardless of the quality of pitching they are facing. I looked at 2024 and 2025 stats for Oklahoma and saw that they had 10 sacrifice bunts in 2024 and 22 in 2025. My preference would to use small ball in limited instances, being dictated by the opposing pitching, rather than automatically resorting to small ball to advance a runner irregardless of the pitching quality that you are facing. I would say that this sentiment is probably that of the majority of people who follow this sport. I will say that I went and watched some games this past weekend at the STM Grand Slam tourney in Broussard and was surprised at the number of high school coaches that routinely tried to advance a runner via a sacrifice bunt irregardless of the pitching they were facing simply because the "book" says that what they were supposed to do.

So basically you are agreeing that for the most part the Cajuns haven't seen elite pitching and should be swing away more times than not, and the Cajuns have been bunting more times than if you were coaching the team.

[VObserver]

This is just my opinion, not based on deep research.

A quick thought about SBC pitching this year. I have not personally seen them all pitch this year, but I do follow who the various teams in the conference have beaten [and lost to], and I read box scores and stat sheets. It is my considered opinion that there is no elite pitcher in the conference this year.

Before you jump me about this, answer this question:

If you were the coach of ANY SBC team this year, and you got a one time freeby trade opportunity to trade your # 1 pitcher for Sam Landry or Jessica Mullins, would you do it?

My short answer is absolutely yes. Sam Landry has elite talent, Jessica Mullins has near elite stuff and is a bulldog in the circle. Nobody in this year's SBC is close to that. JMO

That belief is a big part of my reasoning in the entire small ball discussion.

[ridinsuicide]

Mark, extremely well said and I agree with you on every word of that post.

Now, I may be wrong but I didn’t know we were speaking specifically on bunting in the Sunbelt but more so a general discussion on bunting (well, not bunting specifically) and the question was asked for a “why” to sac bunt outside of the winning run late in the game or to tie the game late. I was only giving some data regarding the flip side. I have already stated I am not a bunter generally (outside of the scenarios mentioned) but I am guilty of regret late in a close game of not manufacturing that runner on 2B with no outs early in the game because wanted to let my hitters hit.


Not sure if anyone watched the McNeese game last night. Landreneau is a great coach, student of the game and an analytics guy (as majority of D1 coaches are). Up 3-2 in the 5th, McNeese leads off with a double. Fontenot up (leadoff hitter batting .417), he bunts. Now, that is part of her game but she also hit a HR later in the game as well but that moment called for a bunt IMO. Houston throws it wide, runner scores and Fontenot advances. Now 4-2 MSU, Poncho steps to the plate (+300 hitter) and is 1-2 on the night with a HR. She attempts the sac bunt TWICE but is unsuccessful and ends up reaching on an error by the 2B on a very short fly ball to CF.

Could very well be coincidence this happens in the very next game I watch after posting here but I think, outside of potentially the top 20 programs in the country a coach will almost always play the best odds of getting that run in.

JMV, I make 2-3 HS games per week all over the state. I’m sure I’ll see you around. Feel free to message me.

[RoarMan]

Scenario. It's the final game of the conference tournament championship. Winning gets the team into the field of 64. It's the bottom of the seventh inning. The game is tied. Runner on first, no outs. On the season, the player at the plate is hitting .365 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles and 54 rbi. The coach gives her the signal to bunt. If you're that player, how do you feel about it? Or, as a fan, how do you feel about the coach making that decision at that time?

[cajunref]

Scenario. It's the final game of the conference tournament championship. Winning gets the team into the field of 64. It's the bottom of the seventh inning. The game is tied. Runner on first, no outs. On the season, the player at the plate is hitting .365 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles and 54 rbi. The coach gives her the signal to bunt. If you're that player, how do you feel about it? Or, as a fan, how do you feel about the coach making that decision at that time?

Depends whose is hitting behind them.