Why is No. 1 in batting average a squeeze? → How should I watch the bunting motion with the runner's lopsided view

Jul 03, 2025

Why is No. 1 in batting average a squeeze? → How should I watch the bunting motion with the runner's lopsided view
3rd baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk is tagged out by Doosan catcher Yang Eui-ji's check in the game between Samsung and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 2nd and Samsung Kim Sung-yoon at the top of the 3rd inning with one out and runners on the 2nd and 3rd bases. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.02/



Why is No. 1 in batting average a squeeze? → How should I watch the bunting motion with the runner's lopsided view
3rd baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk is heading to the dugout after being tagged out by Doosan catcher Yang Eui-ji in the top of the 3rd inning when Samsung and Doosan played at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 2nd. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.02/
Samsung Lions Kim Sung-yoon took a bunt motion and collected it, leading to a third base runner's side death. Samsung missed a precious chance to score first. He was dragged around throughout the game and lost without scoring a point.

Kim Sung-yoon started as the second batter and center fielder against Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 3rd. In the top of the third inning, when they faced 0-0, they had a chance to get on the second and third bases with one out.

Kim Sung-yoon swung boldly at the first pitch. It was a foul.




The second ball was the problem. Kim Sung-yoon made a surprise bunt move. The ball actually came into the strike zone, but Kim Sung-yoon took out the bat.

This is where the confusion arose. Third baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk took the lead. Even an infield grounder had to run home. Ryu Ji-hyuk had to get as close to the home as possible because the batter even set up a bunt position.

Doosan veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji did not miss this opportunity. Yang Eui-ji quickly threw the ball to third base. Ryu Ji-hyuk returned home in a hurry, but he couldn't be faster than the ball.




The flow of Samsung was cut off when it became a second base with two outs. Kim Sung-yoon also grounded out to first base. It is unknown how the game would have changed if Samsung had scored first.

The bunt motion of the left-handed batter itself is common.

Left-handed hitters often bunt motions to bring the infield closer. If you make a strong hit after advancing the first or third baseman even a little, the probability of hitting increases.




However, the context of Kim Sung-yoon's at-bat is somewhat questionable.

Why is No. 1 in batting average a squeeze? → How should I watch the bunting motion with the runner's lopsided view
The game between Samsung and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 22nd, and Kim Sung-yoon, with one out and third base, hits an RBI timely hit in the top of the second inning and shares joy. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.06.22/
Kim Sung-yoon already fouled the first pitch. One strike put the ball count at a disadvantage. It was an unnecessary move. It shook our runner's judgment, not the opponent's defense.

However, it is unlikely that it was a bench order.

Kim Sung-yoon was the No. 1 batting average in the league at the time of this at-bat. Kim Sung-yoon went 0-for-3 on the day and fell to second place in the batting average. With one out and runners on the second and third bases, and even at the beginning of the game, there is a slim chance that a squeeze bunt will come out to the first batter in the league.

If it was a bench order, Kim Sung-yoon should have bunt.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.