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Suicide Squeeze Play (Baseball)

In baseball, a squeeze play is usually a bunt attempt with a runner on third and in most cases fewer than two outs. The batter bunts the ball, hoping the runner at third base will be able to score.

In a suicide squeeze, the runner on third base “takes off” during the pitch, even before the pitcher has released the ball. The batter in this instance must make contact with the ball for this play to be successful. If the batter fails to make contact the runner from third base will be tagged out (suicide). Therefore, the batter must bunt the ball, even if the pitch is not in the strike zone. Often this play is used with a skilled bunter at the plate for this very reason.

A suicide squeeze play is different than a safety squeeze play, because in a safety squeeze play the runner at third base takes off for home when the batter makes contact with the ball, and hopes that the ball will go to a location in which it will be difficult for the fielding team to make a play at the plate. Where as, a suicide squeeze play relies on the batter making contact anywhere in fair territory.

Outline I. Definition II. Theory III. Variations IV. Defensive Approach V. Example VI. Conclusion

Theory The suicide squeeze play is intended to challenge the defenses execution. When using the squeeze play the offense needs to not sell the play to the defense. If the defense senses a squeeze play the pitcher will “step off the rubber” or make a “pitchout”. When the pitcher “steps off the rubber” he is now able to throw the ball to third base and the runner will be picked off. In a “pitchout” the ball is thrown to the catcher approximately four or five feet to the right or left of home plate, so that the batter will not be able to make contact.

Some experts of the suicide squeeze play claim that the first pitch of an at-bat is not the pitch to bunt on. An at-bat is a player's official turn to bat, counted in figuring a player’s batting average. The first pitch of an at-bat is the pitch on which the defense is most prepared and hence most likely to make a play. Other experts recommend the batter not bunt the ball until he receives his first strike. This theory is based on the chance the pitcher might walk the batter, making a squeeze play unnecessary.

Variations There are also variations of the suicide squeeze play. If the offense has runners at second base and third base the coach can signal the runner at second base and third base to run on the pitch. In this scenario the runner on second base breaks for third base a second or two before the runner at third base breaks for home. When the ball is bunted in play the catcher fields the ball and throws it to first base. While the catcher is throwing to first base, one runner has already scored and the runner who started on second base is now on his way home. If the first baseman is left handed he has a very difficult throw to make to home plate and the runner will likely be safe.

Defensive Approach In suicide squeeze bunt situations, the manager or field coach of the defense will call a bunt defensive play. As soon as the batter “squares” to bunt the pitch, the fielders will immediately run to their assigned positions. Fielders that are “charging” should make a quick controlled charge. “Charging” is a term describing how the infielders are running towards home plate. The pitcher in this instance should throw a high strike around the arm pits of the batter. The pitch around the arm pits is the hardest pitch to bunt, and often the batter bunts the ball up into the air. A ball bunted in the air makes a good possibility for a double play.

There are three basic bunt defenses commonly used in baseball. The first bunt defense is called the “push”. In the push bunt defense the first baseman covers first base, the third baseman “charges” the batter, and the shortstop covers second base. The second bunt defense is called the “wheel”. In the wheel bunt defense the first baseman covers first base, the third baseman “charges”, but the shortstop covers third base, trying to get the runner going to third base out. The last bunt defense is the “crash” and this play is the most commonly used in suicide squeeze play situations. In the crash bunt defense the first baseman and third baseman “charge” the batter, while the second baseman covers first base and the shortstop covers third base.

Example A good example of the suicide squeeze occurred in Game 7 of the 2004 National League Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros. In the bottom of the third inning, Cardinals second baseman Tony Womack doubled to start off the inning, and then he advanced to third on a Mike Matheny groundout.

Jeff Suppan, the pitcher for the Cardinals then came to the plate. Tony Womack sprinted towards home plate as the pitcher, Roger Clemens, delivery was on its way to the plate. Jeff Suppan then “laid down” a perfect sacrifice bunt down the first base line. The first baseman, Jeff Bagwell, then fielded the ball, but by the time he did so Tony Womack had already scored from third base.

If Tony Womack had not “taken off” for home plate at the pitchers first sign of throwing the baseball, he would have likely been thrown out near home plate for the second out of the inning. This example proves that there is a thin margin for error when executing a suicide squeeze.

Conclusion The squeeze play rarely occurs with two outs because the batter at the plate could be giving the defense the third out. In a suicide squeeze, the runner on third base “takes off” for home plate during the pitch, even before the pitcher has released the ball. The batter must make contact with the ball for this play to be successful. If the batter fails to make contact the runner from third base will be tagged out. A safely executed bunt, an error or even a pass ball as did happen in 1999, "St Louis Cardinals vs Houston Astro's" which gave St Louis the win with Edgar Renteria at the plate with two outs on an attempted suidice squeeze.

Articles Leavy, Jane. Squeeze Play. New York: Doubleday, 1990.

Lieff, Mathew. “Baseball Tops All Sports as National Phrasemaker.” The Baseball Research Journal. 15(1987): 5.

Palmer, Pete. The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball. New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1977.

Reichler, Joseph. The Baseball Encyclopedia. New York: MacMillon Publishing Company, 1988.

Trainor, Jim. The Complete Baseball Play Book. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1972.

Websites

20 September 2005.

<http://www.answers.com/topic/squeeze-play-baseball>

20 September 2005 <http://webscores.com/zdr/tm/Def/Bunts.html>

20 September 2005 <http://eteamz.active.com/baseball/instruction/tips/tip.cfm/26/>

20 September 2005 < http://mlb.mlb.com/NASAApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=200>

20 September 2005 <http://www.nocryinginbaseball.com/glossary/glossary.html>