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What is a Suicide Squeeze?

Leo J
Leo J

A suicide squeeze is a high-risk, high-reward offensive play in baseball. It is a variation of the squeeze play, which occurs when a ball is bunted with a runner on third and less than two outs. In a normal squeeze play, the runner on third waits until contact is made before running home, eliminating most of the risk but increasing the chances that he will be thrown out at the plate. In a suicide squeeze, the runner breaks for home as soon as the pitch is thrown.

This increases the likelihood that the run will score, since the runner will be closer to home by the time the ball is fielded. It also increases the possibility of failure. The play is called a suicide squeeze because, if the batter does not get his bat on the ball, the runner coming from third will be easily tagged out by the catcher.

A suicide squeeze attempts to get a runner from third base to home plate safely.
A suicide squeeze attempts to get a runner from third base to home plate safely.

The success of the suicide squeeze, then, is determined by the batter. If he misses the ball entirely, the runner coming home will be out. If he bunts the ball, but pops it up so it can be caught in the air, he will be out and the runner will have no chance of returning to third before a double play is converted. The ball must be bunted properly for the play to be effective.

Occasionally, the batter is able to reach first base after bunting during a suicide squeeze play if the opposing infielders are not able to field the ball properly.
Occasionally, the batter is able to reach first base after bunting during a suicide squeeze play if the opposing infielders are not able to field the ball properly.

If the ball is bunted properly, it is almost impossible to prevent a run from scoring on a suicide squeeze. The play is typically only attempted with a fast runner on third base, and a well-placed bunt will often result in the runner crossing home plate before the ball can even be fielded. The squeeze must be attempted with fewer than two outs, though, because the batter will almost always be thrown out at first.

This play rarely attempted in baseball, if for no other reason than that the situation comes up so infrequently. Typically, if a runner is at third base with fewer than two outs, the batter will be instructed to hit normally because the run could score on a normal ground ball or a deep fly ball, and those plays do not require the risk of a suicide squeeze. However, if the runner on third is especially fast, and if the batter is a weaker hitter who might not hit a fly ball deep enough for the runner to score or who is likely to strike out, the suicide squeeze is more likely to be used.

Discussion Comments

anon97822

the runner on third would be in jeopardy of getting thrown out. he/she can steal home even on a walk. the only way he could not be called out is if the walk forces him home. a runner on second can attempt to steal third when the batter is walked and no one is on first. if no one is on first and second and the runner on third attempts a squeeze play and the batter is walked he can be thrown out. for him it is a live ball.

anon61396

1. Sac, no at bat

2. yes

3. goes back to third.

anon44694

With a man on first and third with two outs and a three balls, two strikes count on the batter, what happens to the runner on third if he takes off with the pitch and the call is ball four? Does the play stop and he is allowed to return to third or is he at risk

of being tagged out?

Rick1958

I know it's dumb to do, but with 2 outs and a man on third would it still be called a suicide sqeeze to send the runner from third in hopes that the batter lay down a perfect bunt. Let's assume you did so because the guy on third was a slow-fat runner...

anon1393

on a suicide squeeze is successful and the run scores but the runner is thrown out at first is the batter credited with an at bat or a sacrifice (no at bat)

Thanks

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    • A suicide squeeze attempts to get a runner from third base to home plate safely.
      By: steven hendricks
      A suicide squeeze attempts to get a runner from third base to home plate safely.
    • Occasionally, the batter is able to reach first base after bunting during a suicide squeeze play if the opposing infielders are not able to field the ball properly.
      By: ASP Inc
      Occasionally, the batter is able to reach first base after bunting during a suicide squeeze play if the opposing infielders are not able to field the ball properly.