Bunting in The Show: From Flopping Fish to Fantastic Flipper
The bunt. A strategic maneuver, a daring dance with the pitcher, or as some may call it, a desperate attempt to avoid another strikeout. But have you ever noticed your perfectly placed bunt ends up rolling like a drunken tumbleweed towards the wrong side of the diamond? Fear not, fellow base baller (or should we say, bunt baller?), for I am here to unveil the secrets of directional bunting – and turn you from a flopping fish to a fantastic flipper!
The Button Mashing Blues (and How to Avoid Them)
First things first, forget the Stone Age tactics of simply mashing the bunt button (which is usually Triangle or Y, depending on your controller allegiance). This approach has all the grace of a runaway shopping cart, and about as much control. Instead, we're going to channel our inner Michelangelo, sculpting a bunt that fools the defense and puts you in scoring position.
The Art of the Flick: A Symphony of Sticks
Now, here comes the magic. Hold down the bunt button (remember, it's Triangle or Y) – this is like laying down the foundation of your bunt masterpiece. But here's the twist: with the right stick (the one that isn't currently contorting your batter into a pretzel pose), flick it in the direction you want the ball to roll. A gentle nudge to the right sends it scuttling towards first, while a nudge to the left aims for third. There's even a satisfying little vibration to let you know you've aimed correctly. So ditch the button mashing and embrace the flick – it's like conducting a tiny baseball orchestra!
Practice Makes Perfect (and Less Likely to End Up in the Pitcher's Glove)
Of course, mastering the art of the aimed bunt takes practice. Don't expect to go from bunt butcher to base-stealing maestro overnight. Head into batting practice and unleash your inner Picasso. Flick left, flick right, bunt like there's no tomorrow! Before you know it, you'll be placing bunts with the precision of a surgeon and leaving opposing defenses scratching their heads.
Bonus Tip: The Power of Patience
A little patience goes a long way with bunting. Don't chase that high heat fastball – a nice, slow curveball is your bunting BFF. It gives you more time to react and flick that right stick with pinpoint accuracy.
So there you have it, the not-so-secret secrets of aiming your bunts in MLB the Show. Now go forth and bunt with confidence! Remember, a well-placed bunt can be just as effective as a towering home run (and a lot less stressful on your thumbs). Just try not to get too fancy – a surprise bunt is a beautiful bunt, but a showboating bunt that ends up in the stands might get you a stern talking to from your manager (or at least a controller thrown across the room).
Happy bunting!
