In baseball, the squeeze play or a squeeze bunt is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score. Such a bunt is most common with one out.^[1] According to Baseball Almanac, the squeeze play was invented in 1894 by George Case and Dutch Carter during a college game at Yale University.^[2] According to Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. a third baseman must always be alert for the squeeze play when there is a runner on third base, and might need to pick up the ball bare-handed and throw without having time to straighten up.^[3]

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.^[1]

In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins the windup to throw the pitch, and before releasing the ball.^[1][4] 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.^[5] 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.^[5]

These plays are often used in the late innings of a close game to score a tying, winning, or insurance run.^[5] 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.^[5] Alternatively, if the batter is left-handed and the pitcher anticipates a suicide squeeze, the pitcher can throw a pitchout low and away to make it easy for the catcher to tag out the runner.^[6][7]

Billy Martin and Leo Durocher were two managers who liked to use the squeeze play.^[3][8]

References

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