PG, I like that someone finally talked about relay versus cut.
Good way I heard many, many years ago as a kid at a White Sox spring training was that when the infielder was within the area of the diamond he was always a cutoff man. He may still have to relay (throw) but his main job was to cut the ball if told. Infielder out in the outfield on balls to the wall (no pun meant) was a relay man. He was always going to catch the ball and then relay(throw) where directed or set up to throw to. Relay may hold the ball but he was always supposed to catch it unlike a cutoff in the infield.
Always made sense to me.
I agree way too throws from outfielders at all levels aren't very good these days. All anyone wants to do is air it out show everyone my gun...even if i just let the winninning run get into scoring position.