: Strategies: Defense

Relays and Cutoffs
Since few young players can throw the ball, at least accurately that is, from the outfield to a base, it is important that your players’ know to setup a relay.

On long fly-balls hit to left and center field, the shortstop should sprint to position themselves between the fielder and the base where the play will take place. The second basemen should do the same for balls hit to right field, as the shortstop covers second base. The weaker the fielders arm the closer the relay player must get.

Cutoffs are designed to stop the ball when it is obvious the runner will be safe and there is an opportunity to redirect the play to a following runner. The cutoff player will position themselves about 20 feet in front of the base where the play will occur. If the runner will obviously be safe, the player should cut off the ball and redirect it to another base. If the throw is off target, they can field and throw the ball to the base to try and make the out. If there is a good chance at an out, the player should let the ball go. Since almost all relays are to third and home we will focus on these:

Third Base: For throws to third, the shortstop should make the cut off while the pitcher backs up third.

Home: Throws from left field will be cut off by the third baseman as the pitcher backs up the catcher. Throws from center and right should be cutoff by the first baseman.