Cutoffs from right field

[canyonjoe]

A play that differs so much from base to softball is a hard base hit to RF with a runner on 2nd. We just finished our first 12U year and will play 12U at least throughout the spring. Our Rf's can have the ability to get the runner at 1st often. My concern is that if I still want to try and get that our it requires 1B to stay home when I would normally in baseball have them be a cutoff from to home plate. I can use the pitcher but would prefer not to.

Any good thoughts would be helful.

 

[redhotcoach]

A rf shouldn't need a cutoff to home on a ball hit in front of them...the only ball that they would stand any chance of getting the batter out on.

 

[canyonjoe]

They don't need a relay, but I still want to cut it if the throw home is late or the runner on third holds and we want to keep the hitter on first.

 

[redhotcoach]

Sure, cover the bag until it's clear there is no play at 1. The cut spot to home inline from the rf shouldn't be a problem to get to.

It has to be a pretty short hit ball to rf or one that is just ripped and one hops to the fielder to have a chance at 1st.

 

[StingRay]

Shouldnt 2b be the cut on a ball hit to rf? as would ss to a ball hit to lf?

 

[CycloneSoftball22]

Shouldnt 2b be the cut on a ball hit to rf? as would ss to a ball hit to lf?[/QUOT

No. On softball fields those throws are just too short and useless (unless the ball was hit to the fence). My 16u team uses the pitcher as the cutoff on all throws to home from outfielders.

 

[StingRay]

Shouldnt 2b be the cut on a ball hit to rf? as would ss to a ball hit to lf?[/QUOT

No. On softball fields those throws are just too short and useless (unless the ball was hit to the fence). My 16u team uses the pitcher as the cutoff on all throws to home from outfielders.

Oh sorry, thinking 10u more then 16u. for cuts we use ss to lf 2b to right (they talk on ball hit to cf). pitcher/1b used as backups.

 

[James Smith]

12U and less the pitchers seem to be the best athletes so I like having the pitcher be the cutoff. They also can retreat to the circle to stop a play that is going south.

You certainly give up on some backups using this strategy.

 

[mogsoftball]

Pitcher as cutoff if needed, a hard hit ball that doesn't get past RF gives you chance for the out at 1 so we have 1st on the bag.

 

[smddad]

I have F4 go out for a cut off only of the ball gets past F9. F3 will act as a cutoff from F9 to home if needed. F1 goes in foul territory past the 3rd base line and prepares to back up at 3rd base or home plate.

I use this for the following situations: Single to right field or right center with a runner on 2nd or 2nd & 3rd or 1st, 2nd & 3rd.