About This Trend
A squeeze play, or screen play, is a maneuver in baseball where the batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, while allowing a runner on third base to score.
According to Yahoo News, recent high school baseball games in Japan have seen numerous squeeze plays, with several teams using this tactic to win their matchups. The most recent notable example is the金足農 ('Kinso no', or Kinso Agricultural School) team, which won their game in the 2025 Summer High School Baseball Tournament with a 10th-inning squeeze play. On July 22, 2025, Kinso Agricultural School defeated鹿角 (Kakunou) with a score of 2-1, securing their spot in the tournament championship. This event has garnered attention from baseball fans and media, highlighting the strategic use of the squeeze play in high school baseball.