Pitcher should rotate behind the catcher at the backstop to backup throw and 1B should move towards the pitching circle lining themselves up between the throw and home plate. Catcher tells 1B to move left or right to help line them up. 1B holds up arms to form a "Y" and outfielder should throw the ball through the Y, allowing the catcher to make the call to let the ball go through or to "Cut-2" trying to get the batter at 2B if she attempts to take 2nd on the throw. It is important that the CF not "airmail" the throw where the 1B has no chance to cut the throw and make a play at 2B. A good 1B coach will send the batter to 2B if the throw is too high for a cutoff every time.
Cutoffs
- Thread starter GA42sDad
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Pitcher should rotate behind the catcher at the backstop to backup throw and 1B should move towards the pitching circle lining themselves up between the throw and home plate. Catcher tells 1B to move left or right to help line them up. 1B holds up arms to form a "Y" and outfielder should throw the ball through the Y, allowing the catcher to make the call to let the ball go through or to "Cut-2" trying to get the batter at 2B if she attempts to take 2nd on the throw. It is important that the CF not "airmail" the throw where the 1B has no chance to cut the throw and make a play at 2B. A good 1B coach will send the batter to 2B if the throw is too high for a cutoff every time.
2B should rotate over and cover any throws behind the batter at 1B. SS is covering the 2nd base bag.
- Jan 9, 2015
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Seems like some of these posts are baseball plays. In baseball everyone has more time to move, because there is more field to cover. It took me a couple years to recognize that myself.
On a ball that does not get past the OF, but need a cutoff at home our pitcher is the cutoff. At 14U the OF should be able to throw the ball 150-160 feet to home. If it is offline, then fine the pitcher will grab it.
If the ball gets past the OF in the gap in Right Center, then the 2B takes the throw, but this play is going to 3B. A ball in the gap to left center should be able to be thrown directly to 3B by a decent OF in Left or Center(at worst a 1 hopper).
1B backs up the catcher. Ball to RF or Right Center - the left fielder backs up 3B. Ball to Left or Left Center, Pitcher backs up 3B.
The game is just too fast for anything else once you are above 12U.
$0.02
On a ball that does not get past the OF, but need a cutoff at home our pitcher is the cutoff. At 14U the OF should be able to throw the ball 150-160 feet to home. If it is offline, then fine the pitcher will grab it.
If the ball gets past the OF in the gap in Right Center, then the 2B takes the throw, but this play is going to 3B. A ball in the gap to left center should be able to be thrown directly to 3B by a decent OF in Left or Center(at worst a 1 hopper).
1B backs up the catcher. Ball to RF or Right Center - the left fielder backs up 3B. Ball to Left or Left Center, Pitcher backs up 3B.
The game is just too fast for anything else once you are above 12U.
$0.02
IMO JAD nailed it. I teach it the same way.
The catcher drives this play. She also has the option to call off the cut and have 1 st base either leave the throw and let it come to the catcher for a play at home or turn the cut play into a relay to home for a play at home. This of course is given the right senario, with a runner trying to score and if the cut is late. This takes a lot of practice but very doable.
- Dec 3, 2008
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I'm going to respectfully disagree with JJS on the game being too fast above the 12U level for 1B to be a successful cut. In the situation the OP laid out, I think we're assuming there at least might be a play at the plate and therefore the CF is coming up throwing there. The 1Bman will have plenty of time to get over to the cut position and for the pitcher to get behind the plate as a backup. I agree with JAD on everything except the catcher telling the 1Bman to move right or left. Let the 1Bman position themselves (over and over and over in practice first) and the catcher can focus their attention on the speed of the incoming runner and the velocity of the throw from CF.
Also, although not the OP's original question, we deviate from this if it's a base hit from 5/6 hole through the 3B line. In this case, our 3Bman becomes the cut home instead of the 1Bman. Decision to do this comes from the 1Bman having to hold the bag initially in case our infield fields that ball. The quick turnaround on that particular play makes it easier for the 3Bman to follow her momentum to be the cut...and the SS to follow hers and cover 3B.
Also, although not the OP's original question, we deviate from this if it's a base hit from 5/6 hole through the 3B line. In this case, our 3Bman becomes the cut home instead of the 1Bman. Decision to do this comes from the 1Bman having to hold the bag initially in case our infield fields that ball. The quick turnaround on that particular play makes it easier for the 3Bman to follow her momentum to be the cut...and the SS to follow hers and cover 3B.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Agreed (except IMO it's the batter/runner's responsibility to read the throw and decide to advance/retreat rather than waiting on the 1B coach). IME a high percentage of college pitchers have become specialized one-position players and evolved into the least reliable overhand thrower in the infield. As long as their heads are in the game, there's plenty of time for cut offs and back ups to get into proper position.
Was thinking the exact same thing GM. It is a fast game. Sometimes it is too late if the coach has to tell the runner to advance.
There is *almost* no need to have a first base coach at all if you teach baserunning, and I often let the 9th due up assume the 1b coach duty. Girls love that if you let them think it is important.
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A lot of college teams use the 1B for these cuts (some ALL of their cuts in this situation even on balls hit to left field).
Completely agree on your second paragraph as well. We've always had first base be the cutoff unless the leftfielder has to move to her right or if the ball is hit directly at her. In that case the third baseman becomes the cut. Some years we've had to make the third base an automatic cut on anything hit to the leftfielder, especially if we have a less inexperienced catcher who won't take charge and the third baseman and first baseman stand there looking at one another. If you drill it often and have a good communicator behind the plate it becomes a pretty easy call for the catcher.
