Runner on second, single to center field

How the play works

With a runner on second, the throw goes home. On a ball to center, the first baseman is the cutoff man, so the second baseman covers first, the shortstop covers second and the third baseman stays on his bag. The center fielder throws through the first baseman's chest, one hop to the catcher, and the catcher makes the call.

Key questions

Where does the throw go on a single to center with a runner on second?

Home, through the first baseman's chest on a line to the plate, one hop to the catcher. The catcher decides what happens to it.

Who is the cutoff man on a single to center with a runner on second?

The first baseman. He gets on a straight line between the center fielder and the plate while the catcher lines him up.

Who makes the call on a single to center with a runner on second?

The catcher. He calls Through, Cut hold, Cut 3, Cut 2 or Cut 1, early and once, and every man at a base repeats it. See cut calls.

Who covers first base on a single to center with a runner on second?

The second baseman, once the batter-runner has passed the bag, because the first baseman is the cutoff man. If the batter-runner rounds first too far, he yells "Backdoor!" and gets the throw on Cut 1. The shortstop covers second.

Who backs up home plate on a single to center with a runner on second?

The pitcher. He goes around the first-base side of the catcher, out of the lane of the runner coming home, and sets up near the backstop in line with the throw to back up any overthrow.

Who backs up the center fielder on a single to center with a runner on second?

The right fielder alone. The left fielder moves to back up third instead, so a Cut 3 throw that gets through is his.

Every position's job

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

1. CF

   Center fielder

   Fields it and throws home · Every center fielder play

   Charge the ball under control and field it cleanly off your glove-side foot so you can throw in rhythm. Throw through the first baseman’s chest on a line to the plate, one hop to the catcher; he decides what happens to it. Then jog in behind your throw and watch the runners. If the ball gets back out, you’re the first one on it.

2. 1B

   First baseman

   Cutoff man · Every first baseman play

   Get on a straight line between the center fielder and the plate, hands up, and call for the ball while the catcher lines you up. Then do what he calls. On “Through,” let it go, but fake the catch and arm-fake a throw at the lead runner who is not scoring to send him diving back. On “Cut hold,” catch it and look in. On “Cut 3,” “Cut 2” or “Cut 1,” relay it to that base. If you cut it, check third, then second, then first. Throw only to make an out; otherwise get the ball to the pitcher.

3. C

   Catcher

   Takes the throw, makes the call · Every catcher play

   Stay at the plate. Line the first baseman up with your voice and arm so the throw comes in straight, and give him a target. Make the call early and once: “Through” if there’s a play at the plate (always say it, because silence is ambiguous), “Cut hold” if there isn’t, and “Cut 3,” “Cut 2” or “Cut 1” if a runner has drifted too far. 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.

4. 3B

   Third baseman

   Covers third · Every third baseman play

   Get to third and set up on the bag. Watch the runner tag it: a missed bag is an appeal out after the play. Hold the bag and repeat the catcher’s call. If the runner stops at third, you’re the target on “Cut 3.” Stay on the bag; the runner who rounds third too far is yours once the ball is cut.

5. 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 to stay out of the lane of the runner coming home. 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.

6. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop play

   Get to second and straddle the bag. Cover it and repeat the catcher’s call. If a runner rounds second too far, yell “Backdoor!” and the cutoff man relays it to you on “Cut 2.” Stay on the bag until the ball is dead.

7. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers first · Every second baseman play

   Cover first once the batter-runner has passed it, and repeat the catcher’s call. If the batter-runner rounds first too far, yell “Backdoor!” and the cutoff man relays it to you on “Cut 1.” Stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher.

8. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up third · Every left fielder play

   Move toward third to back up the throw, reading the play as you go. Line up behind third on the throwing line; the right fielder has the center fielder. A “Cut 3” throw that gets through is yours. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

9. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up the center fielder · Every right fielder play

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the center 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 first baseman. 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.

Coaching points

1. The catcher runs the play: “Through” lets the ball come; “Cut hold”, “Cut 3”, “Cut 2” or “Cut 1” redirects it. Every man at a base repeats the call.
2. A run that is going to score anyway is not worth a wild throw. Cut it, keep the trail runners where they are, and play the next pitch.
3. The fake cut matters as much as the throw: it sends the batter-runner diving back and buys the catcher time on a short hop or an off-line throw.
4. An overthrow should never hand out a free 90 feet — every base has a man on it before the ball arrives.

Test yourself

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

1. Runner on second, single. Where does the throw go?

   1. A.Home — on the fly, over the cutoff man
   2. B.To third, to keep the runner from scoring
   3. C.Home — one hop, through the cutoff man’s chest
   4. D.To second, to stop the batter-runner
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. To second, to stop the batter-runner. Home — one hop to the catcher, through the cutoff man’s chest.

2. Runner on second, single. Who runs the play at the plate?

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

   C. The catcher. The catcher: Through, Cut hold, Cut 3, Cut 2 or Cut 1.

3. Runner on second, single to center or right. Who covers first?

   1. A.The first baseman
   2. B.The right fielder
   3. C.The second baseman
   4. D.The pitcher
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. The second baseman.

4. Runner on second, single to center or right. Where is the third baseman?

   1. A.On his bag
   2. B.Backing up home
   3. C.Cutoff man to home
   4. D.Covering second
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. On his bag.

5. Runner on second, single to center or right. Who is the cutoff?

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

   B. The first baseman. The first baseman. The third baseman stays on his bag, the second baseman covers first, the shortstop covers second.

6. Runner on second, single to center or right. Who backs up third?

   1. A.The shortstop
   2. B.The pitcher
   3. C.The left fielder
   4. D.The center fielder
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. The left fielder. The left fielder. (With a single to center, the right fielder alone backs up the center fielder.)

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