Runners on first and second, double down the right-field line

How the play works

A ball down the right-field line is too deep to throw through. The throw goes home for the lead runner: the second baseman goes out as the relay man with the shortstop trailing him. The catcher runs the relay and the third baseman repeats his calls, while the first baseman trails the batter-runner to second for the backdoor. If the lead runner will score anyway, the catcher calls "Cut 3" and the throw goes to third for the runner from first.

Key questions

Where does the throw go on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

Home, to the catcher, by way of the second baseman as the relay man. A double is too far to throw through, so the right fielder hits the second baseman in the chest and the catcher decides what happens next.

When does the catcher call "Cut 3" on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

When the lead runner will score anyway. "Cut 3" takes the trail runner from first at third. With a very fast runner or a runner stealing on the pitch, the relay man may call "Cut 3" himself. See lead runner.

Who is the relay man on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

The second baseman. He sprints to the straight line between the right fielder and the plate, hands up, and catches every throw. The first baseman never relays; he trails the batter-runner to second.

Who is the trailer on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

The shortstop, 25 to 30 feet behind the second baseman in line with the throw. He catches an overthrow at chest level, long-hops an underthrow, and yells "Cut 2!" if the batter-runner rounds second too far.

Who makes the call on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

The catcher, because the throw is headed home. The third baseman is his voice out there and repeats every call to the relay man. See cut calls.

Who backs up home plate on a double down the right-field line with runners on first and second?

The pitcher. He goes around the first-base side of the catcher to the backstop, out of the runner's lane, and sets up in line with the throw. See backing up.

Every position's job

Every fielder has a job on this play, even when the ball never comes near him.

1. RF

   Right fielder

   Fields it, hits the relay man · Every right fielder play

   Charge the ball under control and field it cleanly off your glove-side foot so you can throw in rhythm. Hit the second baseman in the chest with a firm, accurate throw. Don’t short-hop him. Then jog in behind your throw and watch the runners. If the ball gets back out, you’re the first one on it.

2. 2B

   Second baseman

   Relay man · Every second baseman play

   Sprint to the relay spot on the straight line between the right fielder and the plate, hands up, calling for the ball. Catch it on your glove side, already turning to the infield. The catcher makes the call and the third baseman repeats it: on “Cut 4,” relay it home; on “Cut hold,” cut it and look in; on “Cut 3,” throw to third; on “Cut 2,” throw behind the batter-runner at second. With the ball in hand or just released, check the batter-runner rounding second. If anyone yells “Backdoor,” look there now: a quick throw to second gets the runner who drifts too far.

3. SS

   Shortstop

   Trailer, calls the backdoor · Every shortstop play

   Follow the second baseman out and set up 25 to 30 feet behind him, in line with the throw. Anything that gets past him is yours. The catcher makes the call; yours is the backdoor. If the batter-runner rounds second too far, yell “Cut 2!” Once the ball is in, cover the nearest open base and watch the batter-runner at second. Nobody takes an extra base on an overthrow.

4. C

   Catcher

   Takes the throw, makes the call · Every catcher play

   Stay at the plate. Line the second baseman up with your voice and arm so the throw comes in straight, and give him a target. Make the call early and once: “Cut 4!” if the lead runner is coming home, “Cut 3!” if he will score anyway and the trail runner is heading for third, “Cut hold!” if nobody is going, “Cut 2!” for the backdoor. Set up in fair territory in front of the plate to take the throw. Block the plate only once you have the ball, then make the tag. If the ball is cut, call the next throw and keep the lead runner honest.

5. 3B

   Third baseman

   Repeats the catcher's calls · Every third baseman play

   Get to third and set up on the bag. You’re the catcher’s voice out here: repeat his calls to the relay man, loud, and keep repeating them while you hold the bag. On “Cut 3,” the trail runner from first is yours: give a target and make the tag. Stay on the bag after that. Once the ball is cut, the runner who rounds third too far is yours.

6. CF

   Center fielder

   Backs up, yells the base · Every center fielder play

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the right fielder. Set up behind him on the ball’s line, deep enough to keep a miss off the wall. Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes, “Four! Four! Four!”, before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it’s yours: field it and hit the second baseman. Otherwise jog back toward your position, keeping an eye on the runners in case the ball comes back out.

7. 1B

   First baseman

   Trails the batter-runner to second · Every first baseman play

   Watch the batter-runner touch first, staying inside the line and out of his way. Then trail him to second, a step inside the base line, and be on the bag as he rounds it. Set up on second for the backdoor throw from the second baseman and tag the runner if he has drifted too far off the bag.

8. P

   Pitcher

   Backs up home plate · Every pitcher play

   Get off the mound at contact and head for the backstop, going around the first-base side of the catcher. Stay out of the lane of the runners coming home from third. Set up near the backstop, in line with the throw, and stop any overthrow. If the ball is cut, move to back up the next likely throw. Then get the ball back and get on the rubber.

9. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up second, then third · Every left fielder play

   Watch the play develop and get in position to back up a throw to second: a throw over the man at the bag is yours. If the runner shows he is committed to going to third, head for the backup spot behind third on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep. Hold there until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

Coaching points

1. Down the RF line the second baseman and shortstop are the two-man relay to the plate; the first baseman trails the batter-runner and covers 2B.
2. Throw home for the lead runner — the catcher decides. If he sees the lead runner will score anyway, “Cut 3” takes the trail runner from first at third. With a very fast runner or a runner stealing on the pitch, the relay man may call “Cut 3” himself.
3. The calls come from the man at the base the throw is headed to: “Cut 3” (or “Cut 4”) means relay it there; “Cut hold” means cut it, look in, and decide; “Cut 2” is the backdoor. Anyone on the field can yell “Backdoor” to get the relay man looking for it.
4. A double is too far to throw through. The relay man catches every time, and the trailer behind him is the insurance.

Test yourself

Questions from the app's Learn sessions. Pick your answer, then check it.

1. Double with the throw going home. Who repeats the catcher’s calls?

   1. A.The shortstop
   2. B.The pitcher
   3. C.The first baseman
   4. D.The third baseman
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   D. The third baseman. The third baseman — he’s the catcher’s voice out to the relay man.

2. Two runners, and the lead runner will score anyway. What does the catcher call?

   1. A.’Through’ — make the play at the plate
   2. B.’Cut 4’ — cut it and throw home anyway
   3. C.’Cut 3’ — get the trail runner
   4. D.Nothing — let the throw come in
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   C. ’Cut 3’ — get the trail runner.

3. Double down the line: who yells the base to the outfielder?

   1. A.The right fielder
   2. B.The second baseman
   3. C.The center fielder
   4. D.The pitcher
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   C. The center fielder. The center fielder, from his backup spot.

4. Doubles: who relays and who trails?

   1. A.The middle infielder on the ball’s side relays; the other trails
   2. B.The shortstop always relays; the second baseman always trails
   3. C.The middle infielder relays; the first baseman trails
   4. D.The third baseman relays; the shortstop trails
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   D. The third baseman relays; the shortstop trails. The middle infielder on the ball’s side relays and the other trails — down the right-field line too. Never the first baseman.

5. On a double, what does the first baseman do?

   1. A.Trails the batter-runner to second, on the bag as he rounds it
   2. B.Stays on first in case the runner has to come back
   3. C.Goes out as the trailer behind the relay man
   4. D.Backs up the throw to third from foul territory
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   B. Stays on first in case the runner has to come back. Trails the batter-runner to second and is on the bag as he rounds it, for the backdoor.

6. Double, runners on. Where does the throw go, and who runs it?

   1. A.Home; the catcher calls it, 3B repeats
   2. B.To third; the third baseman runs it
   3. C.Home; the third baseman runs it from his bag
   4. D.To second; the first baseman runs it
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   C. Home; the third baseman runs it from his bag. Home. The catcher runs it and the third baseman repeats his calls.

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Defending a double: every situation · The full situation library

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