Bunt or swing?

[Rhinosaur]

Last night I tried bunting with my pitchers since I was having little luck swinging. Most of the time it either bounced to the pitcher or I fouled out. However, a few slow rollers got past the pitcher, then rolled out of the infield, then all the way to the wall. I hit two HRs this way with Fatty Fernando.

You guys have WAY more experience playing this game than I. Do you prefer to swing away or bunt with your pitcher?

[ultimate7]

Against CPU always swing and try to hit the coveted pitcher HR (not inside the park)

[Re-Peat]

The bunt only works if you're taking advantage of the 1988 artificial intelligence, or if you have an extra out and a runner on third...

Bunting for bunting's sake (in 2P) with a speed demon (colman, lopes, etc) works maybe 5-10% of the time when you lay it down perfectly, so you generally have a better chance just swinging away anyways.

And it's way too easy to bunt foul and get out... so I never bunt with 2 strikes unless it seems necessary.

Generally with pitchers batting I don't swing or do anything until I've got 2 strikes, unless someone's on 3rd base.  If nothing else I can take a bit off the opposing pitcher's stamina. 

[Nacho]

It doesn't matter, if you are playing against the CPU you shouldn't need the pitcher in slaughtering the computer in two innings.

[Attezz]

Bunting for bunting's sake (in 2P) with a speed demon (colman, lopes, etc) works maybe 5-10% of the time when

Only if you're like 8 games into a drinking games tourney.

[Re-Peat]

Bunting for bunting's sake (in 2P) with a speed demon (colman, lopes, etc) works maybe 5-10% of the time when

Only if you're like 8 games into a drinking games tourney.

You can lay down a bunt with decent velocity down the line and beat the throw, regardless of how well the defense is played, but that only happens maybe 1/10-1/20 attempts.  Like I said, it's totally not worth it, but it is possible to bunt productively. 

Even when you're sober. 

I'd still recommend drinking though...

[BeefMaster]

I have a little more luck with the swinging bunt - usually trying to bunt directionally (by having the bat angled) doesn't work, but if you half-swing twice, you can get a bunt-powered hit that you can control a bit, if that makes any sense (which it probably doesn't).

[Re-Peat]

I have a little more luck with the swinging bunt - usually trying to bunt directionally (by having the bat angled) doesn't work, but if you half-swing twice, you can get a bunt-powered hit that you can control a bit, if that makes any sense (which it probably doesn't).

I've definitely done this before (the dreaded checked swing-turns into-bunt speed hit) but I've never done it intentionally or with much control.

[BeefMaster]

I don't know that I could pull a ball with that method, but I've had occasional success grounding it to the left side with lefties, basically turning it into a pseudo-Pettis.

[TbT]

bunting can be a key part of the game and is best used to get a man to 2nd base.   check swing bunt.