In baseball and softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Bunt to third with runner on base (sacrifice bunt), the play goes to first base (get the out!).
Play:
| Situation: | Runner on base (sacrifice bunt) |
| Offense: | Bunt to third |
| Defense: | Play goes to first base |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base |
| Catcher: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base then direct the rest of the play (Note 2) |
| 1st base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base |
| 2nd base: | Cover first base (Note 2) |
| 3rd base: | Move to the ball to possibly field it and throw to first base (Note 2) |
| Shortstop: | Cover second base |
| Left: | Move toward third base for back up (Note 2) |
| Center: | Back up the throw to second base |
| Right: | Back up the throw to first base |
| Note 1: | This is bunt coverage is the same on a regulation size diamond (90 foot bases) and for 12U little league and softball teams (on 60 foot bases) |
| Note 2: | On 60 foot bases in 12U Little league and softball, a common play with a runner on first base is to sacrifice bunt and have the runner on first keep running all the way to third. In this case, third base has to quickly return to third to cover the base (another option is to have the left fielder cover third). |
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