If you've ever played baseball, you've learned to hit, throw, play defense, run, and hopefully respect the game. Different people have different meanings of "Respecting the Game". Most would turn to the endlessly argued Unwritten Rules of Baseball. One of which I could foresee becoming a rather largely disputed case in the near future.
"Don't bunt to break up a no-hitter"
This unwritten rule is suppose to give respect to the pitcher if he has a no-hitter going throughout the game. If 'ol #1 is locked onto the strikezone like never before and is clearly having a career day, this rule essentially takes a weapon out of your arsenal.
Now, this situation is rare and you can count on both hands how many no-hitters get taken into the late innings every season but there's something interesting going on in baseball right now that might make it even more difficult to adhere to this rule. The shift. Nearly every team is deploying the shift against pull hitters that have difficulty versus lefties or righties depending on the player. With "launch angles" and "bat speed" being the hot topic key words in the game right now it could be likely that we'll see pitchers take advantage of a lot of over swings throughout power lineups and if everyone in the batter's box is having an off day, we'll see the pitcher dominate.
For this example I'll be using the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If Clayton Kershaw were pitching for the Dodgers and made it to the 8th inning with a no-hitter intact and coming up to bat was Jake Lamb, I can see Los Angeles shifting the same way every team does against Jake, who has a career batting average of .156 against lefties and pulls the ball nearly every time, with the third baseman setting up between the first and second basemen. This extreme shift can often leave the left side open for a bunt attempt.
According to the "Unwritten Rule" Jake can't make a bunt attempt there. Now, i'm not suggest he try to lay one down if the score is 5-0 or worse, but what if it's 1-0. If it's only a one run lead for the Dodgers, and Kershaw has a no hitter going so obviously he's locked in, then why can't Lamb try and sneak a base hit with a bunt down the third base line? Probably because the next time these divisional rivals meet, someone will drill Jake in the ribs with a fastball.
This is only one of the many unwritten rules, but one that could be highlighted in the near future with the way baseball is adjusting to the players right now. It'll be interesting if we ever see it happen.
Would you agree or disagree with Jake attempting to bunt in that situation?
