2 thoughts on the bunts.
1 is obvious, guys don't practice it. With sacrificing basically being proven a bad strategy, there isn't much reason for a normal hitter to know how to bunt... so they don't. You can't just lay 1 down in a game if you haven't bunted once anywhere since spring training.
2 is I think the pitchers are way more athletic. As I remember things as a kid, it was mostly about where the 3rd baseman was playing and beat his throw. Now, unless the ball is riding the chalk, the pitcher makes the play himself at least half the time.