Cutoffs

[SCflashes]

I coach a high school team. Any thoughts/suggestions on the best position player to handle cutoffs to home from the outfield? I've seen some teams use 1B for all cutoffs; I've seen some college teams use the pitcher. What are your thoughts on what is best?

 

[CoachKevin]

I have seen it all done and have coached them all. Everything from LF cut is 3B, CF & RF is 1B to 1B has all cuts, to P has all cuts. IMHO the P cutting the ball is the best. I hear it all the time that the pitcher shouldn't be involved in any plays, I ask why? I never get a solid answer as to why, maybe the feeble in case they get hurt excuse. Ummm they are throwing a ball from about 35 feet to a huge girl that wants to crush it... and your worried about the pitcher getting hurt on a play????

 

[Greenmonsters]

I have seen it all done and have coached them all. Everything from LF cut is 3B, CF & RF is 1B to 1B has all cuts, to P has all cuts. IMHO the P cutting the ball is the best. I hear it all the time that the pitcher shouldn't be involved in any plays, I ask why? I never get a solid answer as to why, maybe the feeble in case they get hurt excuse. Ummm they are throwing a ball from about 35 feet to a huge girl that wants to crush it... and your worried about the pitcher getting hurt on a play????

It often is personnel dependent, but IME there are a fair number of pitchers who have become specialized and only pitch. They are usually the last one you want making any kind of overhand throw.

 

[James Smith]

I teach the P to cut the ball off, I like the P staying close to their circle.

 

[canyonjoe]

In baseball the pitcher is supposed to go backup the play, but IMHO in softball I would have the P do the cutoff simply because there isn't enough time for the 1B to get over in a lot of circumstances.

 

[CycloneSoftball22]

My team (14u) , we always use the pitchers to cut those throws. Works well for us

 

[smddad]

My pitcher should be getting her little princess self out of the circle and over to the foul side of the 3rd base line; preparing to either back up a play at 3rd or home.

 

[CycloneSoftball22]

My pitcher should be getting her little princess self out of the circle and over to the foul side of the 3rd base line; preparing to either back up a play at 3rd or home.

I don't worry too much about these backups. A softball field is much smaller than a baseball field so there isn't a ton of foul territory. Even when the ball does get by , it cant go to far.

 

[bigorunge]

We always use the pitcher. It's the simplest approach and leaves a third baseman and first baseman at their bags in case a throw behind the runner is needed.

 

[JAD]

my pitcher should be getting her little princess self out of the circle and over to the foul side of the 3rd base line; preparing to either back up a play at 3rd or home.

ditto ^^^^^