Nobody on, single to left field

How the play works

With nobody on, the whole play is keeping the batter-runner at first. The left fielder throws through the shortstop to second, and the second baseman, on the bag, calls whether the throw comes through. Whoever ends up with the ball looks to first base first, for a batter-runner who rounded too far.

Key questions

Where does the throw go on a single to left with nobody on?

To second base, through the shortstop. The left fielder throws firm and chest high with enough on it to reach second; if the batter-runner isn't going, he just hits the cutoff man. No short hops.

Who is the cutoff man on a single to left with nobody on?

The shortstop. He gets on a straight line between the left fielder and second base, hands up, and calls for the ball.

Who makes the call on a single to left with nobody on?

The second baseman, straddling second and facing the throw. He calls "Through" early and loud if the batter-runner is coming, or "Cut" if he has stopped. See cut calls.

Where is the first look after the throw on a single to left with nobody on?

First base. Whoever ends up with the ball, the shortstop or the second baseman, looks for the backdoor throw to first, because runners round too hard, too far, or turn their back on the ball.

Who backs up second base on a single to left with nobody on?

The right fielder. He lines up on the shortstop's throwing line, 30 to 40 feet behind second, and stops anything that gets through. The center fielder backs up the left fielder.

Where does the pitcher go on a single to left with nobody on?

To foul territory behind first base, in line with the left fielder. He drifts toward the first-base line in fair territory, stays clear of the batter-runner, then falls in behind him. The catcher also comes up the line to back up the backdoor throw from the infield.

Every position's job

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

1. LF

   Left fielder

   Fields it and throws to second · Every left fielder play

   Charge the ball under control and field it cleanly off your glove-side foot so you can throw in rhythm. Throw firmly through the shortstop, chest high, with enough on it to reach second if the batter-runner tries for it. If he isn’t going, hit the cutoff man and nothing more. Then jog in behind your throw and watch the runners. If the ball gets back out, you’re the first one on it.

2. SS

   Shortstop

   Cutoff man · Every shortstop play

   Get on a straight line between the left fielder and second base, hands up, and call for the ball. The second baseman makes the call. On “Through,” let it go to the bag. On “Cut,” catch it and turn. If you cut it, your first look is the backdoor throw to first. If there’s no play, get the ball to the pitcher.

3. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers second and makes the call · Every second baseman play

   Get to second and straddle the bag, facing the throw. You own the call. If the batter-runner is coming, call “Through” early and loud, then take the throw and tag him: catch first, then tag. If he has stopped, call “Cut” instead. With the ball in hand, your first look is the backdoor throw to first. Then get it to the pitcher.

4. 1B

   First baseman

   Covers first for the backdoor · Every first baseman play

   Watch the batter-runner touch first, then get to the bag. Straddle it and expect the backdoor throw if he rounds too far. Make the tag if the throw comes, and stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher.

5. P

   Pitcher

   Backs up first base · Every pitcher play

   Get off the mound at contact and drift toward the first-base line, staying in fair territory and clear of the batter-runner. Once he’s past you, fall in directly behind him and keep going to the backup spot in foul territory behind first, in line with the left fielder. A throw straight from the outfield to first, behind the runner, is yours to back up. If the ball is cut, move to back up the next likely throw, then get the ball back and get on the rubber.

6. C

   Catcher

   Backs up the backdoor throw · Every catcher play

   Follow the batter-runner up the first-base line and get behind first in foul territory, in line with the backdoor throw from the infield. The pitcher has the throw from the outfield. Stay behind first until the ball is dead, then return to the plate.

7. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up second · Every right fielder play

   Move toward second to back up the throw, reading the play as you go. You’re the primary backup behind second: line up on the shortstop’s throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

8. CF

   Center fielder

   Backs up the left fielder · Every center fielder play

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the left fielder. Set up behind him on the line of the ball, deep enough to keep a miss off the wall. If the ball gets past him, it’s yours: field it and hit the shortstop. Otherwise hold, watch the throw come in, and jog back toward your position with an eye on the runners in case the ball comes back out.

9. 3B

   Third baseman

   Covers third · Every third baseman play

   Get to third and cover the bag. Hold it in case the throw to second gets away and the batter-runner keeps going. Stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher.

Coaching points

1. Whoever receives the throw from the outfield — cutoff man or the man at the bag — looks to 1B first. Runners round too hard, too far, or turn their back on the ball.
2. With nobody on, the whole play is keeping the batter-runner at first. The throw has to beat him to second to matter; the backdoor at first is the bonus for a runner who rounds too far.
3. Loud and early beats late and right: everyone away from the ball calls the base before the throw is in the air.

Test yourself

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

1. Where does the cutoff or relay man line up?

   1. A.A few steps in front of the base being covered
   2. B.Wherever he is closest to the ball
   3. C.On the line from the fielder’s normal position to the base
   4. D.On a straight line from where the fielder is to the man at the base
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. On a straight line from where the fielder is to the man at the base. On the straight line from where the fielder actually is to the man covering the base.

2. Nobody on, single to left or center. Who is the cutoff?

   1. A.The second baseman
   2. B.The pitcher
   3. C.The third baseman
   4. D.The shortstop
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. The shortstop.

3. Nobody on, single. Who takes second and owns the call?

   1. A.The middle infielder who isn’t the cutoff
   2. B.The cutoff man, once he has the ball
   3. C.The pitcher, from behind the mound
   4. D.The first baseman, once the runner passes
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The middle infielder who isn’t the cutoff. The other middle infielder — the one who isn’t the cutoff.

4. Nobody on, single to left or right. Where does the pitcher go?

   1. A.To cover first base himself
   2. B.In front of the runner, straight to the backup spot at first
   3. C.Behind third, in case the runner keeps going
   4. D.Toward the 1B line, then behind first once the runner passes
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. Toward the 1B line, then behind first once the runner passes. Off the mound toward the first-base line in fair territory, clear of the runner; once the runner passes, in behind him to foul territory behind first, in line with the outfielder’s throw. Never in front of the runner.

5. Nobody on, single. What does the catcher do?

   1. A.Stays at home in case the runner keeps going
   2. B.Runs to back up the throw to second
   3. C.Follows the runner up the line to back up a backdoor throw
   4. D.Goes to cover third while the third baseman is out
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. Follows the runner up the line to back up a backdoor throw. Follows the runner up the line and backs up a backdoor throw from the infield.

6. Nobody on, single to left or right. What do the other two outfielders do?

   1. A.The near one backs up the fielder; the far one backs up second
   2. B.Both come in to cover the empty bases
   3. C.Both stay where they are and watch the play
   4. D.The near one covers second; the far one backs up first
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The near one backs up the fielder; the far one backs up second. The far one breaks to back up second; the near one backs up the fielder.

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