The fake bunt

Batters showing bunt but intentionally pulling back have a definite place in the game of baseball. Some of the times are obvious and some not so obvious.

The biggest reason that batters fake the bunt is to confuse coverage for an infielder covering the base of a would be base stealer. A very important point of note is that the fake must be a late square. The batter should not square early and then take the pitch. The fake bunts effectiveness is predicated on the lateness of the infielders seeing it.

If a man is on 1st and steals 2nd base, there is a good chance that the 2B will be covering the bag. The fake bunt confuses the 2B because the 2B would also have the 1B bag. Therefore, his hesitation would cause the bag to be uncovered. At least, that's the idea of the fake bunt. Understand that this play is usually done with a right handed batter only because typically the SS would cover with a lefty hitter causing no confusion on a fake bunt.

A batter could also fake the bunt when a runner steals 3B too. It happens less because often times a direct sign isn't given for the runner to steal 3rd base so it can be a surprise for the hitter too. But, certainly if he knows it's coming showing a bunt could draw a 3B in a little too far for bag coverage.

Faking the bunt is designed distinctly for confusing defenses. Only well prepared defenses defend this correctly.