Cut offs and relays

Cut-offs and relays

Ripken Baseball

Hit the cut-off man a la Junior.

The following cut-off plays are standard cut-offs used by most organizations. Unless the
throwing arms on your club force a change, you should follow as closely as possible the
cut-offs outlined below.

Nobody on base—single to outfield:

Ball to left field:

Shortstop lines up throw. Second baseman goes to second base. Outfielder gives shortstop a
nice, firm throw. On balls between shortstop and third baseman, where both make an effort for the ball, third baseman switches with shortstop and takes cut-off position.

Ball to center field:

Shortstop and second baseman call play—one will go out for cut-off, the other will go to
second base.

Ball to right field:

second baseman lines up throw. Shortstop goes to second base. Outfielder gives second
baseman a nice, firm throw. On balls between the first baseman and second baseman,
where both make an effort for the ball, first baseman will switch with second baseman
and take the cut-off position and the second baseman will go to first base.

Man on first—single to outfield:

Ball to left field:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop lines up throw to third base; second baseman goes to second base; first baseman goes to first base. On balls that the third baseman and shortstop
both make an effort for and when it is easier and practical for them to switch duties, do so—shortstop goes to third base while third baseman lines up the throw. Pitcher backs up third base in line with throw.

Ball to center field:

Same, except the shortstop lines up throw from center field to third base. The shortstop and second baseman should switch duties on a ball hit through middle where both make an effort for the ball—the second baseman lines up the throw and the shortstop goes to second base. Pitcher backs up third base in line with throw. Ball to right field:

Same, except shortstop lines up throw from right field to third base. On balls between first baseman and second baseman where both make an effort, they should switch duties—second baseman to first base and first baseman to second base. Pitcher backs up third base in line with throw.

Man on second—single to outfield:

Ball to left field:

Third baseman to cut-off position at plate. Shortstop to third base; second baseman to second base; first baseman to first base. Pitcher backs up plate.

Ball to center field or right field:

First baseman to cut-off position at plate; second baseman to first base; shortstop to second
base; third baseman to third base. Pitcher backs up home.

Nobody on base—long single or possible double:

Ball to left field:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop to cut-off position to line up throw to second base.
Second baseman to second base; first baseman to first base but ready to back up throw
if there is a play at second base. Right fielder ready to back up throw to second base.

Ball to right field:

Third baseman to third base. Second baseman to cut-off position to line up throw to second base. Shortstop to second base. Pitcher and left fielder drift toward shortstop position to back up possible play at second base.

Nobody on base—sure double:

Ball to left center:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop lines up throw for possible relay play at third.
Second baseman trails shortstop as "safety valve" and calls play for shortstop: "no play," "third base" or "second base." First baseman trails runner to second base for possible pick off from relay man. Pitcher backs up third base.

Ball to right center:

Third baseman to third base. Second baseman lines up throw for possible relay play at third. Shortstop trails second baseman as "safety valve" and calls play for second baseman: "no play," "third base" or "second base." First baseman trails runner. Pitcher backs up third.

Ball to left field corner:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop to left field line in relay position for play at third base. Second baseman goes to bag; as sure double develops, second baseman drifts toward shortstop position to retrieve possible loose ball. First baseman trails runner to second base.
Pitcher backs up third base in line with throw.

Ball to right field corner:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop goes to second base and as sure double develops, drifts into cut-off position for possible play at third base. Second baseman and first baseman go to
relay position for possible play at third base, the best arm as relay man, the other as "safety valve" and play caller. Left fielder is alert to back up third base. Pitcher backs up third base.

Man on first base—sure double.

Ball to left center:

Third baseman to third base. Shortstop lines up play for possible relay play at home. second baseman trails shortstop as "safety valve" and calls play "home," "third base" or "no play."
First baseman to cut-off position around mound. Pitcher backs up home, but if there is no play there, backs up third base for possible play. Right fielder is alert to cover second base.

Ball to right center:

Third baseman to third base. Second baseman lines up play for possible relay play at home. Shortstop trails second baseman as "safety valve" and calls play "home," "third base" or "no play." first baseman to cut-off position around mound Pitcher backs up home plate first, but if there is no play at home, moves into position to back up third base. Left fielder is alert to back up third base.

Ball to left field corner:

Third baseman to third base; calls play for shortstop with "home," "third base," "no play" or "second base." Shortstop lines up play for possible relay play at home. Second baseman to second base. First baseman to cut-off position along third base line. Pitcher backs up home plate in line with throw to plate. Right fielder alert to cover second base.

Ball to right field corner:

Third baseman to third base. Second baseman and first baseman to right field line, the best arm
in the relay position for play at the plate with the other as "safety valve" and play caller. Shortstop to second base; as sure double develops, shortstop moves into cut-off position for possible play at third base. Pitcher backs up home, but if there is no play at home, moves into position to back up third base. Left fielder is alert to back up third base. On a throw to the plate where the runner is safe, the catcher should go out and meet the ball for a possible play at third base.

General advice:

"Hit the cut-off man" is one of the most used expressions in baseball. Rarely is a game played without the outfielder throwing the ball over the cut-off or relay man's head.
This is a very important part of the game, and all players should make a severe effort to make firm, chest-high throws through the cut-off man. Through the cut-off man, not to the cut-off man,
as the idea with the throw is to keep it going in the direction of the play.

The cut-off and relay man should receive throws with the body turned sideways ready to relay ball without having to turn after catch-in ball. Upon release of the ball by the outfielder,
the relay man should position himself to make the relay throw, always being ready to throw
rather than assuming the runner is going to stop.

Each time a ball is hit nine men have jobs to do. Even if a player is not directly involved
in a play he can assist by way of verbal communication, telling another player where
to make a throw or even by saying "no play" or "hold the ball." Communication is a very important part of the game and a necessity for good, sound, fundamental baseball. By calling plays loud and clear there is very little chance of balls falling between two players while
they are looking at one another. Never be afraid to talk and communicate!

Word signs to the cut-off or relay man:

"Let it go"—Let the throw go on through.

"Cut second," (third, etc.)—Cut ball and make play to that base or be ready to make a play.

"Relay"—just what it says. Cut the ball and relay it to man calling.

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