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That is called a bunt.

There are two kinds. One is bunting for a hit which he was doing that. Bunting it and run like.

There there is a sacrifice bunt. It is meant to move a runner over and the hitter giving himself up.

Interesting. In what situations would the hitter choose to sacrifice?

Man on second, nobody out, late in the game and want to get the run in to tie or go ahead.

Might bunt him to third then hope to get a run in without a base hit.