Pitcher's responsibility on aggressive bunt coverages

When runners get to 1st and 2nd or even just 1st with 0 out, a potential bunt defense could employed. The pitcher must know what play is on and he must know where to cover on these plays. His knowledge of these plays is critical for the success of the plays.

Let's assume we have a runner on 1st base and nobody is out. The defense puts on a play where the 1B is going to start in and then drive the runner back with a "ball" call. The runner at 1B is going to retreat(hopefully) as the 1B comes driving back to the bag. The pitcher delivers the ball to home plate while the runner at 1B has shortened up his lead. Because the 1B is now firmly even with the bag, the pitcher must hustle over and cover the 1B side on this bunt. If he releases the ball and observes the play develop, regardless of how far the runner has to run, he'll probably get 2B. The pitcher must anticipate the ball will be bunted at the 1B and cover this position immediately.

Now, in 1st and 2nd situations it's different. The SS is the position player who is driving the lead runner back. Because 3B is the base that is most coveted in this bunt scenario, the 3B is the player that will be holding his ground . The pitcher must recognize that he will hustle off the mound and cover the 3B side. He does this anticipating that the batter will be attempting to bunt the ball at the 3B as he is taught.

Again, this isn't necessarily traditional baseball thinking with respect to bunt defenses. This is the manner in which the pitcher must think in regards to what we call our "flash" defenses. A position player will flash to the base asking for the ball.