Cut Off Man

TCB, I have not read all the way back, but maybe I don't understand the situation, and what level you're talking about.  

Are you saying that getting the ball from the LF corner to 3B would require 3 throws?  If so, all I can guess is that SS and LF have some very weak arms or you're playing really small kids against really big kids on a really big field  with  no fences.

Or are you saying  you want a double cut to home to go like so:  F7 to F6 to F5 to F2?  If so, then just replace F5 with F3 and you're good.

No, no, no to both JCG and Consultant.  The "double cut" or "tandem relay" as we run it is NOT about another cut.  It is a safety play.

Ball hit into a gap for a "sure double" we have a fielder go out with a "trailer".  The trailer is there because quite often, at the high school level. the OF will overthrow the lead cut. So you have a trailer to get the bad throw (high or low), otherwise a throw over the lead cut will clearly allow the hitter to get to 3B.  The whole thread has been about this (I realize you didn't go back and read all of it though, so no big deal) and I assume most everyone runs "tandem relays/double cuts".....if the throw to the lead cut is good, the trailer just stays out of the way (though we also have them be the "eyes" for the lead cut verbally), and the lead cut makes the cut and throws to wherever he needs to; maybe to 2B, maybe to 3B, maybe to Home if the there was a runner on 1B.

My whole point was in response to who goes out:  In most cases the 2B or SS goes out, trailed by the other Middle Infielder.....but when we have a sure double down the LF line, it is awful tough for the 2B to get all the way over to the LF line behind the SS....so, we have the 2B run directly to 3B bag, and the 3B and SS go out as the tandem relay.  1B still comes over to act as the cut home if there might be a play there, otherwise he follows the runner in at 2B for a possible back pick.

Sorry I disagree with you consultant (or more correctly with the Mariners), but at the High School level, overthrows from an OF are at least somewhat common.  And if no one is on base, I don't need my 1B coming over to 3B.....I have a fielder at 3B and I have a Pitcher and Catcher who would be in that area.  I also have RF to come in to the playing area.  Might not be as high level as the Mariners, but it follows what Ron Polk always ran, and I'm pretty ok with that!

I've always taught that the double cut is going to be lined up to 3rd base so the SS and 2B are out on the cuts with 1B trailing to 2nd and 3B covering 3rd.

Agree coach, with the exception that if there is a possible play at the plate (that is, a double with a runner on 1st), the job of being a cut to home is more important than trailing the runner.

And consider looking at the possibility of 3B going out with SS when there is a hit down the LF line, with 2b covering the 3B bag.....we always ran it the other way, but then switched to this when we tried it a few times.

You teach your 1b and 3b how to make cutoff's. It is in all "playbooks".

It takes time, patience and practice. Watch video on the 1b and 3b handling a throw from the OF. It is "footwork" and position of the body.

Do not make excuses for the 1b and 3B - "teach, practice and practice again".

We have 45 players traveling to Australia and 7 coaches. Believe me they will know the "cut off" procedures.

Bob

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