Runners on first and second, single to left field

How the play works

With runners on first and second, the throw goes home for the lead runner. The left fielder throws through the third baseman's chest, one hop to the catcher, and the catcher makes the call. If the lead runner will score anyway, the catcher cuts it and goes after the trail runner at third, where the shortstop is covering.

Key questions

Where does the throw go on a single to left with runners on first and second?

Home, through the third 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 left with runners on first and second?

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

Who makes the call on a single to left with runners on first and 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.

What does the catcher call if the lead runner will score anyway on a single to left with runners on first and second?

"Cut 3," for the trail runner. A run that is going to score anyway isn't worth a wild throw, so the cutoff man catches it and relays it to third, where the shortstop is on the bag.

Who covers third base on a single to left with runners on first and second?

The shortstop, because the third baseman is the cutoff man. He watches the runner tag the bag, since a missed bag is an appeal out, and repeats the catcher's call.

Who backs up home plate on a single to left with runners on first and 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.

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 home · 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 through the third 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. 3B

   Third baseman

   Cutoff man · Every third baseman play

   Get on a straight line between the left 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, the trail runner from first, 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 third 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. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers third · Every shortstop 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. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers second · Every second baseman play

   Get to second and straddle the bag: the runner from first is coming. Cover it and repeat the catcher’s call. If he rounds second too far, yell “Backdoor!” and the cutoff man relays it to you on “Cut 2.” Tag him if the throw comes, then stay on the bag until the ball is dead.

6. 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.

7. 1B

   First baseman

   Covers first · Every first baseman play

   Watch the batter-runner touch first, then get to the bag. Cover 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. 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 third 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.

9. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up second · Every right fielder play

   Break at contact and drift in toward the backup spot behind second, on the third baseman’s throwing line, arriving as the play develops. Line up 30 to 40 feet deep behind the bag. A backdoor throw that gets through is yours. Stay there until the ball is back to the pitcher.

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. With two runners, throw home for the lead runner; if he will score anyway, the catcher calls “Cut 3” for the trail runner.
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 lead runner who is not scoring 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.

Related situations

Defending a single: every situation · The full situation library

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