First & Third

First & Third: Cut and Go Home

Cut man reads the runner — home if he breaks

Same first-and-third look, but the runner on third gambles for the plate. The pitcher cuts the throw to second and fires home.

Speed

0 / 4

Press Watch the Play to run the sequence, or tap any player to study their job.

All 9 jobs

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Ball

Line up in front of the mound as the cut man; if the runner at third breaks, cut it and throw home.
C

Catcher Ball

Throw through firmly but a touch lower, so the cut man can read it and grab it if the runner goes.
1B

First Base Bag

Trail the batter-runner and cover first.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second; if the throw is cut, trust the read.
3B

Third Base Ball

Hold your runner and be ready for a snap throw.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Back up second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up the play.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second base from the right.

Key point

The cut man is the whole play: he reads the runner at third and decides in a heartbeat — let it go to second, or cut and throw home.

Drill

First-and-third defense with a live runner at third; the cut man practices the read-and-react both ways.

Watch for

A cut man who freezes — indecision lets the run score AND the trail runner reach second.