Bow - a game situation in baseball , consisting in the fact that the batter enters the ball into the game with the help of a bat held in a horizontal position.
The main task of the bow is to deliver the ball to the playing area so that it is as far as possible from the players of the defending team and at the same time is within the infield. The outcome of such a game situation depends not only on physical dexterity and concentration of the batter, but also on the possible response of the fielders to the bow and their subsequent actions.
Types of bows
Sacrifice Bow
In a situation of a sacrifice bow (eng. Sacrifice bunt), a batter hits the ball with the expectation that the runner will transfer from the base he is currently at to the next base. In this case, the batter will be put out. Thus, a sekrefice-bow represents an exchange of outs to the base. Typically, a bow-tie is used to switch the running from the first base to the second and is used in games with a low score. Especially often this method is used by pitchers playing in the fields of the National League (where the pitcher should also enter the field as a batter). Cases when a sekrfice bow is used to move a person running from third base to the house are called squeeze play (eng. Squeeze play). There are two types of this situation. In the case of a safety squeeze, the runner leaves the base only after hitting the ball with a bat. In the case of a suicide squeeze (literal translation: suicidal, English suicide squeeze), the runner leaves the base as soon as the pitcher throws the ball. In the latter case, the batter must hit the ball, otherwise the runner will be bounced.
In statistics, a sacrifice bow does not count a batter as an exit to serve. Despite this, if the runner reaches home as a result of a bow, the RBI is counted as a batter.
Bow calculated to make a hit
Better can also make a bow in the hope that he will reach the first base. This is the difference between this strategy and sacrifice bow, i.e. the goal of a better is to become a runner himself, and not to transfer an existing runner to the next base. If the better is put out, he will not be counted as a sacrifice bow, even if the runner still moves to the next base as a result of the bow. Often, the better will not put the bat in the position needed for the bow until the ball is served. This is done so that the bow would be unexpected for the fielders. A successful bow counts as a single. It’s rarely possible to double or triple with a bow.
Sometimes a better can start running at the same time as he makes a bow. This is called a drag bow. Usually this is done by left-handed betters, since when they hit the ball they stand closer to the first base, compared to right-handed betters. This is a more difficult maneuver since the player cannot put his feet in the correct position for the bow. To bring the bat in the correct position, the better can hold it with both hands closer to the base. You can also see bows that are made with one hand on the bat.
Swing Bow
A swing bow (eng. Swinging bunt) is called a hit in which the better wants to hit the ball, but doesn’t quite hit, which is why the ball rolls a short distance. This hit is not a real bow and does not count as a secreice. On the other hand, a slug bunt is possible when it makes a bow, but hits the ball harder than usual, assuming the ball rolls past the fielders ready for the standard bow.
Bow Fielders Reaction
Often a bow puts fielders in a more difficult situation than a simple hit. Since the bow rolls slower than a regular ball, fielders are forced to run to the ball from their positions in order to quickly grab it and throw it on first base, thereby putting the better out. The main goal of the bow-making better is to hit the ball hard enough to fly past the pitcher, but at the same time not reach the fielders. A good strategy is to bow in the "no-man's land" (English no-man's land) - triangles between the positions of the pitcher, first base and second base or between the positions of the pitcher, third base and catcher - since in this case there may be confusion among the above-mentioned players. So, for example, each of them can try to catch the ball and no one will be on the first base to take the serve, or vice versa, no one will raise the ball in time, because they decide that others will do it. Teams usually use clear plans for each fielder when a better makes a bow. Usually a player at first base runs to pick up the ball while a player at second base runs to first and gets ready to take the ball there. A short stop usually runs to second base in cases where a runner was already at the first base during a bow.
Special Rules
A bow that has flown over the foul line is counted as a strike and leads to a betting out if the strike was the third. For comparison, an undetected ball that flew in over a foul line as a result of a regular hit does not count as a third strike.
Also, the infield fly rule cannot be applied to the bow.
See also
- Baseball terminology