Cutoff Play
Also known as: cutoff man, relay cutoff
A cutoff play routes an outfield throw through an infielder (the cutoff man) positioned between the outfielder and home plate, allowing the defense to redirect throws or boost accuracy over long distances.
Outfield throws from deep left or right field lose speed and accuracy over 200+ feet. A cutoff man — usually the shortstop or second baseman — positions at an intermediate point where the throw can be caught and redirected to cut off a trailing runner at second or third if the lead runner will score regardless. Proper cutoff execution requires the outfielder to throw directly at the cutoff man's glove, the cutoff man to call "cut" or "let it go," and the entire infield to communicate the primary and secondary targets before the play.
Example
A runner is tagging at third; the left fielder throws to the shortstop cutoff, who reads the play and fires to third to nail the advancing trail runner instead.
Related terms
- Relay ThrowA relay throw is a ball thrown from an outfielder to a cutoff man who immediately re-throws it to a base — used when the distance is too great for one throw to be accurate and powerful.
- Defensive PositioningDefensive positioning is the pre-pitch alignment of all fielders based on the current hitter's tendencies, the game situation, the count, and the score.
- Double PlayA double play retires two base runners on the same batted ball, most commonly on a ground ball through the infield with a runner on first.
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