Font of Knowledge

A sacrifice bunt is a play in baseball (or fast-pitch softball) where the batter lays down a bunt with the primary goal being to allow one or more runners already on base to advance.  The team up to bat is willing to have the batter thrown out easily at first base (which he usually is) in order to move up the runner(s).

The sacrifice bunt play is chosen when it is deemed preferable to hitting away and risking a double play or a strikeout/pop-up which result in an out too but fail to advance the runner(s).

It’s called a sacrifice bunt becase the hitter is essentially sacrificing his at-bat for what is likely to be an easy out in order to help the team by advancing the runner(s).