Cut offs

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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Cut-offs aren't as big of a deal in softball because the field is so much smaller than in baseball. Generally, the player receiving the throw tells whether to cut off the throw.

But, again, it simply isn't that big of a deal.
 
R

RayR

Guest
Cut-offs aren't as big of a deal in softball because the field is so much smaller than in baseball. Generally, the player receiving the throw tells whether to cut off the throw.

But, again, it simply isn't that big of a deal.

At what level are cut offs not important? Our team's field fence is 240 away. Many fields we play on are open.

We have cut off and back up responsibility plays for balls hit down the LF line, balls hit in the LC gap, RC gap and down the RF line. Our team has benefitted from the opposition overthrowing their cut off and having the ball roll around on the outfield. We just keep running.

Everyone on the field has a job on these plays. The middle IFers go out to cut and be a back up and we have the opposite OFer come in and cover 2B just in case. The 1st basemen follows the runner to 2B from a distance to make sure the bases are touched and then assumes an IF cut position either for 3B or home depending on where the ball was hit.

The P backs up either 3B or home while the 3B covers her base and the catcher covers home.

For example:

Ball hit to the RC gap to the fence. Sure double, probable triple, possible HR

CF and RF retrieve ball
2B is cut off
SS is back up
LF comes and covers 2B
1B trails runner and will set up for either 3B or home cut off
P backs up 3B or will slide down to home if necessary
3B covers 3B and calls play
C covers home.

3B has best read and if it looks as if runner has easy triple calls for home throw

If a slow runner hit the ball and throw comes to 3B and runner has taken wide turn at 2B, the LF should be there for a possible throw behind.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Obviously, relays are important and backups are important. All fielders need to be in the appropriate position depending upon the location of the ball. Players need to be taught how to correctly do relays.

I believe the question was directed to a play where a player may or may not take a throw depending upon the position of the lead runner and the trailing runner in order to throw out the trailing runner. A player on the field tells the cutting fielder whether to cut-off the throw.

In baseball, there are various schemes for cutting the throw and throwing out the trailing runner. I've seen a cut work several times in baseball, but I can't think of an occasion where a cut worked in softball, except in those situations where the trailing runner was acting as a decoy so that the lead runner could score.
 

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