LHP vs. RHP affect your bunt coverage?

When you think about what bunt coverage you want to put on, should the handedness of the pitcher affect your call? I think it should a little.

Bunt coverages usually are called when there are force situation for the base runners. The base runners must run and the defense puts on a defense that is designed to record an out somewhere. This defense could be aggressive and get the lead runner or it could be passive and get the trail runner. Whatever the case, the handedness of the pitcher should at least be considered when putting on a play.

Here's what I'm talking about.

Men on 1st and 2nd. The defense calls for the LHP to cover the 3B line on the bunt because the 3B is trying to hold his ground. If the 3B is trying to hold we want an out at 3B if at all possible. The LHP falls off to the left side of the mound making this a very reasonable bunt coverage for him. The RHP, on the other hand, has a very difficult task of getting to that same ball. He is falling off to the 1B side making his assignment much more arduous.

Man on 1st. An aggressive bunt coverage involves the 1B driving the runner back to 1B. The pitcher is asked to cover the 1B line on this bunt defense. If the pitcher is a LHP he will more than likely have a difficult time getting to the 1B line to field his position. The RHP has a much easier time of it.

Should knowing this affect the manner in which you call your bunt coverages? Possibly. Especially if the pitcher isn't a great athlete on top of it. If he has further ground to cover and isn't able to cover it quickly he definitely can make it into a harder play.