Runners on first and second, single to right field

How the play works

With runners on first and second, the throw goes home for the lead runner. On a ball to right, 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 catcher makes the call, and if the lead runner will score anyway, he cuts it for the trail runner at third.

Key questions

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

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

Who makes the call on a single to right 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 right 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 third baseman is on the bag.

Who covers first and second on a single to right with runners on first and second?

The second baseman covers first and the shortstop covers second, because the first baseman is the cutoff man. The third baseman stays on his bag.

Who backs up third base on a single to right with runners on first and second?

The left fielder. He moves toward third and lines up behind the bag on the throwing line, so a Cut 3 throw that gets through is his. The pitcher backs up home plate.

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 and throws home · Every right 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 right 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 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. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop 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. 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. CF

   Center fielder

   Backs up the right fielder · Every center fielder play

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the right 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.

9. 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. 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.

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.

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Defending a single: every situation · The full situation library

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