Rawlings Elite
Playbook – Defensive Situations
1.
Fly Ball Cutoff Plays – Fly Balls to the Outfield
a. Runner on Second Base
i. Fly Ball Left Field – Runner on Second Base
ii. Fly Ball Center Field – Runner on Second Base
iii. Fly Ball Right Field – Runner on Second Base
b. Runner on Third Base
i. Fly Ball Left Field – Runner on Third Base
ii. Fly Ball Center Field – Runner on Third Base
iii. Fly Ball Right Field – Runner on Third Base
The Single Cutoff Play ~ What Is It?
This play is used any time the baseball leaves the infield, going to the outfield area.
This could be from a base hit, a groundball getting past or through an infielder, a fly ball, a thrown ball, etc.
Once the ball is into the outfield, an infielder becomes the go between, positioned between the outfielder fielding the ball
and the base they will need to throw to.
The player, at the base the throw will be coming to, positions the relay man to get him lined up, giving the outfielder a
direct throw, through the player to the base.
Single Cutoff Tips ~ From the Dugout

Infielders should to be aware of how well each outfielder throws. Let the outfielder make the longest throw, if he has
the better arm.

Outfielders are throwing through the relay man's head, to the base.
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Players should understand the concept of "throwing through the cutoff". Sometimes they think that means
throwing all the way to the base. It just means the throw needs to be head or chest high, so that the relay
has an opportunity to cut it, if needed.

It is essential that the outfielder hit the relay man on all plays that are not do or die. This provides the defense an
opportunity to cut the ball, possibly to keep the batter off second base.

When the fielder at the base sees there is no chance to get the runner, they should call "cut". If the batter is
attempting to advance to second, there is a possibility to make that out. In the very least, the cut holds the batter at
first, leaving the double play open.

If there is a play and the ball is on line and strong, the fielder says “GO-GO-GO” or “LET IT GO, LET IT GO, LET IT
GO”. This means the relay men lets the ball go (to the base).
o
o
If the fielder on the base yells CUT, the ball gets cut by the relay man who runs the ball into the infield.
Or, if the fielder on the base yells CUT-1, CUT-2, CUT-3, CUT-4 (or CUT-HOME), the ball gets cut by the
relay man who then throws to the base called.

The infielder (who is the relay man / cutoff man) holds both hands above his head, yelling "HERE-HERE-HERE” or
“HIT ME, HIT ME, HIT ME”. The concept is to provide the outfielder with an audible location for the throw, increasing
the speed and accuracy of that throw. The relay man must then listen for the cutoff directions from the fielder on the
base.

Infielders (relay man / cutoff man) should anticipate their upcoming throw and start moving their feet into position as
soon as they see the location of the outfielders throw. This movement increases the speed with which they are able
to get their throw off, translating into a better opportunity for the out at the other end.
Fly Ball Left Field ~ Runner On Second
In this fly ball left field, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup 3B

C: Backup P

1B: Come down, inside 1B

2B: Cover 2B

SS: Cutoff between LF and 3B

3B: Cover 3B

CF: Move towards LF

RF: Move towards 1B, to backup 2B in case of a throw

LF: Make catch, throw "through" cutoff to 3B
If the 3B wants the throw to be cutoff, there are 3 cuts he can call: CUT-3, CUT-2, or CUT and run it in.
Fly Ball Center Field ~ Runner On Second
In this fly ball center field, runner on second, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup 3B

C: Backup P

1B: Comes down, inside 1B

2B: Covers 2B

SS: Cutoff between CF and 3B

3B: Covers 3B

LF: Backup 3B

RF: Backup 2B

CF: Catch ball and throw "through" the cutoff to 3B
1B needs to be aware that if the C needs to field a bad throw, 1B needs to cover home plate.
Fly Ball Right Field ~ Runner On Second
In this fly ball right field, runner on second, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup 3B

C: Stay at plate

1B: Come down, inside 1B

2B: Cover 2B

SS: Infield grass, cutoff between RF and 3B

3B: Cover 3B

LF: Backup 3B

CF: Backup 2B

RF: Catch ball and throw "through" the cutoff to 3B
Infielders should to be aware of how well each outfielder throws. Let the outfielder make the longest throw, if he has the
better arm.
Fly Ball Left Field ~ Runner On Third
In this fly ball left field, runner on third, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup home plate

C: Cover home plate, line up cutoff

1B: Come down, inside 1B

2B: Cover 2B

SS: Covers 3B

3B: Infield grass, cutoff between LF and C

CF: Start towards LF

RF: Backup 2B, in case the fly ball is dropped

LF: Catch ball, throw "through" cutoff to home plate
Outfielders work to get behind the baseball, catch the ball with two hands on their throwing side as they move forward into
the ball.
Fly Ball Center Field ~ Runner On Third
In this fly ball center field, runner on third, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup home plate

C: Cover home plate, line up cutoff

1B: Go behind mound as cutoff

2B: Cover 1B

SS: Covers 2B

3B: Cover 3B

LF: Move towards CF

RF: Move towards 1B

CF: Make catch, throw "through" cutoff man to plate
The most difficult part of cutoffs is to keep everyone moving to where they should be every time. They may only have one
opportunity in a season to use that backup; but it will only happen if they have gone there the 100 times before.
Fly Ball Right Field ~ Runner On Third
In this fly ball right field, runner on third, each player has a specific assignment within the situation.

P: Backup home plate

C: Cover home plate, line up cutoff

1B: Come into grass, cutoff between RF and C

2B: Cover 1B

SS: Covers 2B

3B: Cover 3B

LF: Backup 3B

CF: Moves towards RF

RF: Make catch, throw "through" the cutoff to home plate
Keep communicating; keep hustling ~ it is the secret to smooth and efficient cutoffs.