Editing Squeeze play (baseball)

{{Short description|Baseball maneuver}}
In [[baseball]], the '''squeeze play''' or a '''squeeze bunt''' is a maneuver consisting of a [[sacrifice bunt]] with a runner on [[Baseball field#Third base|third base]]. The batter [[bunt (baseball)|bunt]]s the ball, expecting to be thrown [[out (baseball)|out]] at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to [[run (baseball)|score]]. Such a bunt is most common with one out.<ref name=bp>{{cite web |date=November 15, 2013 |title=Painting the Black: Suicide is Painless |publisher=Baseball Prospectus |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/22243/painting-the-black-suicide-is-painless/ |access-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>  According to [[Baseball Almanac]], the squeeze play was invented in 1894 by George Case and Dutch Carter during a college game at [[Yale University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Year in Review: 1894 National League |work=Baseball Almanac |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/yearly/yr1894n.shtml |access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref>

In a '''safety squeeze''', the runner at third takes a lead, but does not run towards home plate until the batter makes contact bunting. A play at home plate is possible. <ref name=bp/>

In a '''suicide squeeze''', the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins the windup to throw the [[pitch (baseball)|pitch]], and before releasing the [[Baseball (ball)|ball]].<ref name="bp"/> If properly executed, and the batter bunts the ball nearly anywhere in fair territory on the ground, a play at home plate is extremely unlikely.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web |date=August 20, 2006 |title=A Bunt and a Prayer |website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/sports/playmagazine/20suicide-squeeze.html |access-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref> However, if the batter misses the ball the runner will likely be tagged out, and if the batter pops the ball up a double play is likely.<ref name=nyt/>

These plays are often used in the late innings of a close game to score a tying, winning, or insurance run.<ref name=nyt/>  A pitcher's typical defense against a squeeze play, if he sees the batter getting into position to attempt a bunt, is to throw a high pitch that is difficult to bunt on the ground.<ref name=nyt/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Baseball}}

[[Category:Baseball terminology]]
[[Category:Baseball plays]]
[[Category:Batting (baseball)]]


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