Cutoff Man
Also known as: cutoff position, cutting the throw
The cutoff man is the infielder who sets up in a direct line between an outfielder and the base under threat, ready to intercept the ball and redirect it if the original target is no longer the best play.
On balls hit to the outfield with runners moving, an infielder. This means often the first baseman on plays at the plate, or a middle infielder on plays at third. This means steps into the lane between the fielder holding the ball and the base being defended. From there he has three options, and which one he takes decides the inning. If the lead runner is scoring regardless, he lets the ball travel through untouched. If a trailing runner is taking too much, he intercepts and fires to the shorter, more makeable base. If the incoming ball is off-line, he catches it and salvages a play that would otherwise skip to the backstop.
Position is only half the job; the rest is listening. The man in the middle is usually facing away from the developing play and cannot see the runners behind him. As a result, teammates shout "cut" or "let it go". At the same time, the ball is still in the air. Standing in the correct lane also gives the defence a second chance at a wild arm. This is. This is because a fielder already on that line can adjust to something off-target and still make a play out of it.
Find your line by looking back over your shoulder at the fielder with the ball, not by running to a memorised spot on the grass. This means the right position moves every time the ball is hit somewhere new.
On a base hit with a runner rounding second, drift a few steps nearer the outfielder than feels natural. Set up too deep and the ball reaches you having already lost its carry. This takes away the option of letting a strong one travel all the way through.
Example
With the tying run on second, the first baseman stepped into the lane on the play at the plate, ready to redirect to third if the trailing runner tried to take an extra base.
Why it matters
Correct positioning turns one defender into insurance against both a wild arm and an aggressive baserunner, without slowing the primary play down.
Common mistakes
- Standing directly on the line rather than slightly off it, blocking the catcher's view of the incoming ball
- Failing to call "cut" or "let it go" early enough, leaving the intercepting fielder guessing at a critical moment
- Setting up too near the outfielder or too near the target base instead of at the right depth for the situation
Frequently asked questions
Who usually handles this role on a play at the plate?
Typically the first baseman, depending on the team's system, since he can reach the lane between the outfielder and home quickly. At the same time, the middle infielders cover the bases behind the play.
Why is this needed in baseball when softball outfields are shorter?
Distance is the whole reason. A ball in the right-center gap at a full-size park can sit 300 feet or more from home. The basepaths the runner is covering are 90 feet apiece. No outfield arm covers that accurately at useful speed.
What is the pitcher supposed to be doing?
Backing up the base the ball is heading toward. The pitcher is the only defender with no assignment in the lane itself. As a result, on plays at the plate he trails behind the catcher to keep an overthrow from letting a trailing runner advance.
Should an accurate ball ever be intercepted?
No — that is the one to leave alone. Taking a strike that would beat the runner gives up the out at home to chase a lesser one. This is why the catcher, who sees both the ball and the runner, is usually the voice making that call.
Related terms
- Relay ThrowA relay throw breaks one impossible outfield throw into two makeable ones. This means the outfielder hits an infielder who has run out to meet the ball. That fielder turns and delivers the second leg.
- Turn Two"Turn two" is baseball slang for successfully executing a double play. This means recording two outs on a single batted ball, most commonly a ground ball fed to a middle infielder who pivots and relays to first base.
- Fielding Position (Ready Stance)The fielding position is the pre-pitch stance a fielder holds to be ready to move right away in any direction. This means knees bent, weight forward, feet shoulder-width, on the balls of the feet.
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