Fundamentals of Cutoffs

Remember each time a ball is hit in fair territory, all players on the field have actual or possible participation in the play. So on defense you should always anticipate that the ball may be hit to you, or think out what your job will be so that you will react automatically. This is the mark of a good defensive player.

Defensively, the ideal cut off situation has every base covered and key bases backed up on every play. An individual team team that can master each of these cut off situations has a decided edge in being a winner which should be your goal.

• Nobody on base - single to right, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs up middle of field.
• Nobody on base - single to center, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs up middle of field.
• Nobody on base - single to left, shortstop is the cutoff, second baseman to second, pitcher backs up middle of field.
• Man on First Base - single to right, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base.
• Man on First Base - single to center, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base.
• Man on First Base - single to left, shortstop is the cutoff, second baseman to second, pitcher backs third base.
• Nobody on base - extra base hit to right, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base.
• Nobody on base - extra base hit to center, second baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base.
• Nobody on base - extra base hit to left, shortstop is the cutoff, second baseman to second, pitcher backs up third base.
• Man on First Base - extra base hit to right, first basemanis the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base or home.
• Man on First Base - extra base hit to center, first baseman is the cutoff, shortstop to second, pitcher backs third base or home.
• Man on First Base - extra base hit to left, third baseman is the cutoff, second baseman to second, pitcher backs third base or home.