cutoff situation runner at 2nd

coachjoey2009 · Feb 11, 2010

Ok I would like some input here from you guys. The girls are high school varsity. New coaching staff and we are looking at the situation with a runner at 2nd one out or less. Single to left, right at LF, here are the three relays we went thru:

1. SS is the cut-off on the dirt not into LF with 3b covering base

2. 3b becomes cut-off with the SS swinging down to cover 3rd (SS recognizes that LF has fielded the ball)

3. 1b becomes the cut-off, 3b covers bag with SS going out

This will be of course with the throw going to the plate. We want to have a good cut-off so as to hold the runners and/or stop the run from scoring.

tacotim · Feb 11, 2010

If the ball is hit to the 3rd base side of SS into left field, then 3rd base drops back to be cut off to the plate and the SS continues over to cover 3rd.

If the ball is hit to the second base side of SS into left field the SS continues on to 2B, 3rd basemen covers 3rd, 2B covers 1st and your first basemen is cutoff to the plate.

Only other time 3rd would be cutoff is if more than one runner on base including 3rd, and there is a fly ball to left with runners tagging. 3rd would drop back to be cut off and SS would cover 3rd.

First basemen is the cutoff for any other situations.

SnocatzDad · Feb 11, 2010

Comes down to what you have to work with. I get the impression your at least considering having a cutoff between LF and 3B which gives me the impression you might have a sub-par thrower in LF. I'd prefer to have a F7 that can not only throw directly to 3B, but can throw directly Home as well. I would have F5 cover the bag because F6 needs to float as a cutoff in case the ball gets by F7. Pitcher can handle cut off home and back up a throw to 3B, but if the ball gets past F7 run will score and now you may need a cut to 2B or 3B on the batter/runner.

shockcoach · Feb 11, 2010

Ball hit to LF with runner on 2nd; 2nd & 3r; or 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

This is how we approach that play.

Pitcher Moves into foul territory 1/2 way between 3rd & home & moves to back up possible plays
at 3rd or home.

Catcher Covers home. Calls out cut-off instructions.

1st base Moves across diamond to act as interior cut-off, unless ball is down left field line.

2nd base Covers 2nd base.

Short Stop Moves into possible cut-off position in shallow left field.

3rd base Covers 3rd or acts as interior cut-off to home if ball is down left field line.

Left field Makes play on ball.

Center field Backs up left fielder.

Right field Backs up possible throw to 2nd base.

ctfastpitch · Feb 11, 2010

We have 1B be the cutoff for all throws to Home. With a ball hit to OF with runner on 2B, we have 1B slide over and line up with the OF and Home (unless there is a possible play from RF to 1B), Pitcher backs up Home. We expect the OF to throw all the way Home and 1B will let the throw go through unless she is told to cut it, or if it is a weak or offline throw. Unless it is a deep shot and a relay is necessary SS or 2B is not involved and they should either cover 2B or go out for a possible relay depending on which side the ball is hit to. If the ball is a deep shot, in that case there is no play on the 2B runner, and the throw will go to either 3B or Home depending on how far the batter gets, and Pitcher backs up whichever base the throw is going to.

tacotim · Feb 12, 2010

With a runner on second and a base hit to left field(3B side of SS), the first basemen will have a hard time getting into position fast enough. The third basemen is usually playing 4 or 5 steps down the 3rd base line. They simply turn and face the left fielder for the cut at the plate. SS covers 3B. Also, when the ball his hit to the left side your second basemen's reaction is to move towards 2B. If you vacate 1B by using your first basemen for that cutoff situation no one will be there if there is a play or rundown.

Same senerio with a base hit to any other spot in the outfield the 1B is the cut off to home.

If outfielder bobbles or ball gets past outfielder, then SS or 2B goes out for relay to 2B or 3B. Run scores!

SnocatzDad · Feb 12, 2010

tacotim said:
With a runner on second and a base hit to left field(3B side of SS), the first basemen will have a hard time getting into position fast enough. The third basemen is usually playing 4 or 5 steps down the 3rd base line. They simply turn and face the left fielder for the cut at the plate. SS covers 3B. Also, when the ball his hit to the left side your second basemen's reaction is to move towards 2B. If you vacate 1B by using your first basemen for that cutoff situation no one will be there if there is a play or rundown.

Same senerio with a base hit to any other spot in the outfield the 1B is the cut off to home.

If outfielder bobbles or ball gets past outfielder, then SS or 2B goes out for relay to 2B or 3B. Run scores!

No way F6 can run towards 3B then make it to a decent cutoff position for a throw to 2B if ball gets by F7
No way F4 can run to a decent cutoff position for a throw to 3B if ball gets by F7 and if they vacate the base and become the cutoff to 2B you are giving the batter runner 2B uncontested

Vacating 1B costs you little or nothing. Ball hit to LF you cannot get the force out at 1B, at most you might have an opportunity to pick off that runner if they round.

Your Main focus should be to
#1 Prevent runner from scoring
#2 If you can't acheive #1 at least prevent batter/runner from getting into scoring position

IMO F6 should be moving immediately into a neutral cutoff position expecting the ball to get by F7. Similar to F9 backing up a throw to 1B, if your not in motion prior to the mistake, you will be too late to help anyone.

Coach JV · Feb 12, 2010

Depends greatly on depth of hit in combination with arm strength in LF.
Last week I watched a LF throw a runner out at the plate from fairly deep behind SS.
Her throw was 8-10 ft short of the catcher who fielded on the hop and had the runner
by 3 steps. For very deep throws, I like to bring !B into the middle for her range and
trusty glove

ctfastpitch · Feb 12, 2010

tacotim said:
With a runner on second and a base hit to left field(3B side of SS), the first basemen will have a hard time getting into position fast enough.

As soon as the ball gets through the left side, I expect F3 to be on the move to get in position for cutoff...she should have plenty of time if she cuts directly across the pitchers circle.

The third basemen is usually playing 4 or 5 steps down the 3rd base line. They simply turn and face the left fielder for the cut at the plate. SS covers 3B.

Would rather have F5 cover the bag in case there is a play there, and have SS go out for a possible relay if the ball gets past OF

Also, when the ball his hit to the left side your second basemen's reaction is to move towards 2B. If you vacate 1B by using your first basemen for that cutoff situation no one will be there if there is a play or rundown.

I want F4 to cover 2B in case there is a play there. Not really worried about 1B uncovered in this situation. A rundown to 1B is highly unlikely in this situation unless we are up by a lot and giving up the run to hold the batter to a single. Worst case we run her back to 1B. Anyway, I expect F9 to be on the move toward 1B to back up a possible throw from LF to 2B. She can just continue on to 1B if she sees we have the runner caught between the bases

tacotim · Feb 13, 2010

SnocatzDad said:
No way F6 can run towards 3B then make it to a decent cutoff position for a throw to 2B if ball gets by F7
No way F4 can run to a decent cutoff position for a throw to 3B if ball gets by F7 and if they vacate the base and become the cutoff to 2B you are giving the batter runner 2B uncontested

If ball gets by LF the throw is going to 3B. Batter already has a double. SS would have no problem going out to get relay to 3B.
If LF bobbles ball then throw goes to 2B with second basemen covering.

Vacating 1B costs you little or nothing. Ball hit to LF you cannot get the force out at 1B, at most you might have an opportunity to pick off that runner if they round.

Agreed! Not looking for force out with ball hit to LF. Firstbasemen needs to be at 1B to hold batter from moving in to scoring position. If no one is at 1B the batter will round large and advance on a throw to cut off or home plate. Need to freeze batter with a good fake if throw goes threw to home, or go cut 1 and pick her off rounding.

Your Main focus should be to
#1 Prevent runner from scoring
#2 If you can't acheive #1 at least prevent batter/runner from getting into scoring position

Agreed!

IMO F6 should be moving immediately into a neutral cutoff position expecting the ball to get by F7. Similar to F9 backing up a throw to 1B, if your not in motion prior to the mistake, you will be too late to help anyone.

SS will have no problem stopping and going out to get relay to 3B if ball gets by LF. If ball does not go by to far, then LF makes throw to 2B with secondbase covering. This was a high school varsity team. A throw from LF to 2B should not be a problem.

cutoff situation runner at 2nd

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