Squeeze play (baseball)
In baseball, the squeeze play or a squeeze bunt is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score. Such a bunt is most common with one out.[1] According to Baseball Almanac, the squeeze play was invented in 1894 by George Case and Dutch Carter during a college game at Yale University.[2] According to Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. a third baseman must always be alert for the squeeze play when there is a runner on third base, and might need to pick up the ball bare-handed and throw without having time to straighten up.[3]
In a safety squeeze, the runner at third takes a lead, but does not run towards home plate until the batter makes contact bunting. A play at home plate is possible.[1]
In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins the windup to throw the pitch, and before releasing the ball.[1][4] If properly executed, and the batter bunts the ball nearly anywhere in fair territory on the ground, a play at home plate is extremely unlikely.[5] However, if the batter misses the ball the runner will likely be tagged out, and if the batter pops the ball up a double play is likely.[5]
These plays are often used in the late innings of a close game to score a tying, winning, or insurance run.[5] A pitcher's typical defense against a squeeze play, if he sees the batter getting into position to attempt a bunt, is to throw a high pitch that is difficult to bunt on the ground.[5] Alternatively, if the batter is left-handed and the pitcher anticipates a suicide squeeze, the pitcher can throw a pitchout low and away to make it easy for the catcher to tag out the runner.[6][7]
Billy Martin and Leo Durocher were two managers who liked to use the squeeze play.[3][8]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Painting the Black: Suicide is Painless". Baseball Prospectus. November 15, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ↑ "Year in Review: 1894 National League". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- 1 2 DiMaggio, Joe (May 8, 1950). "3rd Baseman Must Always Be On Alert for Squeeze Play". Buffalo News. p. 32. Retrieved 2026-08-16 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Beitiks, Edvins (July 6, 1986). "Suicide Squeeze". San Francisco Chronicle. p. C-7. Retrieved 2026-08-16 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 Zinoman, Jason (August 20, 2006). "A Bunt and a Prayer". The New York Times. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ↑ Sullivan, George (1976). The Catcher, Baseball's Man in Charge. Dodd, Mead. p. 54. ISBN 9780396072782.
- ↑ Collins, Eddie (1911). ""Outguessing" the Pitcher". Pearson's Magazine. Vol. 25. pp. 732–733.
- ↑ Angell, Roger (2004). Five Seasons: A Baseball Companion. University of Nebraska Press. p. 51. ISBN 9780803259508.
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