The "mechanics" of the wheel play

The wheel bunt defense is a common bunt defense. It's focus is to earn an out at 3B in a 1st and 2nd bunt defense. It is the most aggressive bunt defense that you can employ.

Here is how it works.

The SS is the catalyst to the play. Everything begins on his movement. Some teams have him start directly behind the runner at 2B while other teams have him shade closer to the 3B position. I would suggest that the more advanced you believe your opponents offense is, the closer the the SS should start to the runner.

When the pitcher comes set, he looks in the direction of the SS. When the SS begins sprinting to 3B the pitcher delivers the ball to home plate for the ball to be bunted(hopefully). Now, the detail in the wheel is what every other player in the infield does.

The 2B sprints in the direction of 1B when the SS starts his sprint. The 1B and 3B attack the plate to field the ball. If the batter does not square, the corners try and stop and retreat as quickly as possible. The do not continue on a suicide mission. The C is thinking "3,3,3" on his call to an infielder. Also, the catcher must be aware that 2B is not an option in this situation. Think 3B because we are being very, very aggressive with our defense.

The wheel play requires that the pitcher deliver a fastball strike. This is one instance where we definitely want the ball bunted and we need a strike. The last thing we would want is the pitcher to throw a ball and the defense to have tipped its hand.

The wheel play is used in the National League much more than the American League. The reason is because the wheel play is given in very likely bunt scenarios. What's more likely than a Nat'l League hitting pitcher?