The Critical Role of the Cutoff Man

At all levels you see extra bases being taken on throws to third and home from the outfield where the ball sails over the cutoff man on the way to the base. What you usually hear from the dugout is a complaint about the inability of the outfielder to hit the cutoff man. Many times the criticism is directed at the correct person but often the criticism should also be directed at the cutoff man and possibly the coach whose only instruction may have been to "hit the cutoff man".

Let's think for a moment about the purpose of the cutoff because it serves a slightly different purpose depending on the situation and where the ball is hit. We're really looking at 2 different situations:

1. A combination of a ball that is hit deep enough and/or and lack of outfielder arm strength, where the result is that the outfielder cannot make the throw to the intended base.
2. A ball that is hit shallow enough where the outfielder can make the throw to the intended base.

This distinction must be made not only to the outfielder who's making the throw but to the cutoff man who is lining up for the throw. Think about it from the outfielder's perspective. Other than making a great catch what's the most exciting thing that can happen to him defensively on the baseball field? The answer is simple, throwing out a runner trying to advance.

Let's look at a common game situation. Runner on first, base hit to center. The center fielder comes up and fields the ball, he sees the runner rounding second and heading for third. As he gets ready to throw the ball he looks at the cutoff and guess what, he's standing halfway between the centerfielder and third base. If he hits the cutoff man, the cut will have to be made because the ball will never make it that far at that trajectory. If he throws higher and misses the cutoff man, he has a chance to throw out the runner. I know what I would do if I had that chance and it wouldn't involve hitting the cutoff man. It's the same choice many outfielders are forced to make because the cutoff man is in the wrong spot.

Positioning the Cutoff Man

On a ball hit deep or fairly deep with an outfielder that has an average arm, the cutoff is necessary to get the ball to the intended base. Without the cutoff man the ball may not get there or roll the last fifty feet toward the base. In a case like this the outfielder really has no excuse for not hitting the cutoff. The only chance to get the runner at the base he is throwing to or to get another runner at a different base is to get the ball to the cutoff man. The main advice I give my team on any throw from the outfield, is to let the outfielder make the longer throw. I want the infielder to make a shorter and as a result (most of the time), more accurate throw to the base. It also makes it much easier for the outfielder to make a throw that can be caught by the cutoff man.

On a ball hit in front of the outfielder, the cutoff man may not be there as a required ingredient of getting the ball to the intended base. The outfielder may have plenty of arm strength to throw the ball to the intended base and a good throw from him all the way to the base would be preferable to having the ball cut. In this case the cutoff man must back up towards the intended base and be in a position to catch an errant throw or cut the ball if a throw needs to be made to another base. He should position himself so a throw from the outfielder that goes through his arms would make a nice one hop to the intended base. The reason I have the infielder position for a one hop, is it helps to keep the outfielder focused on keeping the ball down and doesn't get the infielder too close to the intended base.

When working on cutoff situations in practice it's important to teach each position involved in the cutoff. The main point of this article is to emphasize the importance of the cutoff man. Where does the cutoff man go? Most kids understand that they need to get in a direct line between the outfielder and the base the outfielder is throwing to. What is usually missing is the distance between the base and the outfielder. Watching youth baseball has given me the undocumented and unscientific belief that players will naturally try to split the difference. The cutoff man almost always will go out too far when setting up. So when working with your team, you must constantly remind the cutoff man to not go out too far. You'll reduce overthrows and be in better position to make plays if your cutoff men remember to let the outfielder make the longer throw. It's better to be too close to the intended base than to be too close to the outfielder.

The Relay

In addition to being in the correct position the actual cut and relay to the intended base is another place where precious time can be lost. Too often the cutoff man faces the outfielder with both hands raised and as the ball approaches he will catch it from that same position. Then he must turn and throw the ball. The big waste of time is the turning part. Teach your cutoff men to move their feet and position themselves to make the throw before the ball arrives from the outfield. If they can catch with their body already turned to their throwing side, the relay throw to the base can be made very quickly. The image below shows a player getting in position to make a relay by turning his body prior to the throw arriving.