First and Third

Cutoffs and Relays • Every player on the field, including the pitcher, has a responsibility and a place to be on every cutoff and relay situation. • The voice commands we use are: We will not say anything if we want the ball to come through to the base we are directing to – we will say the number of the base that we wants the ball “cut and relayed” to (2-2-2,3-3-3,4-4-4) • “Cut” means “cut the ball” and “control the play” • The catcher will direct the play as it develops to home plate. • The third baseman will direct the play as it develops to third base. • On a double, possible triple, the trail infielder will direct the play for the lead infielder. • We want the outfielders to make longer throw and “hit the first cutoff man in the chest.” • Infielders STOP moving when the outfielder picks up the ball. We want the outfielder to throw to a stationary target: open and give with good throws. NEVER jump or short hop relay throw. • All sure doubles, possible triples, with nobody on first base, we line up with a double cut to third. • All SURE doubles, possible triples, with nobody on first base, we ine up with a double cut to home plate. • Trail infielder lines up the play and directs the play. • Infielders must know your outfielders arm strength and position yourself accordingly. • Trail infielder must position yourself to catch a high throw and/or a throw that will short hop the lead infielder so you can catch it on one bounce. Cutoffs and Relays 1 Copyright 2007 by CTAA • First baseman with runner on first base, on a double, possible triple, from left center to right field, float in the middle of the infield (cutoff position) with the ability to react to second base. With no runner on first base, trail hitter into second base. • First baseman with ball down the right field line, you are the trail infielder. Ball down the left field line; trail hitter into second base. • Ball down the right field line, the short stop will float as cutoff man to third base with the ability to react to second base. • Third baseman with a runner on first base, on a SURE double, possible triple, from left field to left field foul line, float back inside cut of grass with the ability to react to third base. • On a triple, down the left field line that curves into foul territory, with a runner on first base, the double cut (Second baseman and shortstop) should line up inside the foul line so the relay throw to home has less of a chance to hit the runner. • First baseman as the cutoff man to home plate on a throw from center field, position yourself deep toward the mound and work back to the ball. This way you will always know where the mound is and you won’t have to backup on the mound to catch the throw. • Third baseman as the cutoff man to home plate from left field, start deeper toward home plate and work back to the throw. • Pitchers with the runner on first base, double, possible triple, position yourself DEEP and half way between third and home plate, react accordingly. EXCEPTION: Ball down the left field line and right field line, back up home plate. • Ball down the LF line with no oe on the SS set out as the Relay man. The 2nd Baseman covers 2nd Base for possible plat and then floats to an area to protect for an errant throw. Cutoffs and Relays 2 Copyright 2007 by CTAA.

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