Runners On Booklet — Coaches Lab

Runners On

Runner on 2nd, Single to Right — Throw Home

Runner on 2nd 1 out RF → cutoff (1B) → C at plate

A base hit to right field with a runner on second who is trying to score. The right fielder charges and throws through the first baseman, who lines up as the cutoff to the plate.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher in case the throw gets away.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate, give a target, and take the cutoff throw for the tag.
1B

First Base Ball

Line up as the cutoff on the right-field-to-home line, about 45 feet from the plate; cut or relay the throw.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover first base in case the batter-runner tries to take second.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base in case the batter-runner advances on the throw home.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base behind the runner and trail the batter-runner.
LF

Left Field Backup

Cross behind the play to back up second base from the outfield grass.
CF

Center Field Backup

Sprint to back up the right fielder in case the ball gets past him.
RF

Right Field Ball

Charge the ball, field it cleanly, and throw through the cutoff man to the plate.

Key point

With a runner trying to score, somebody MUST be the cutoff — the throw goes through a person, not over everyone's head.

Drill

Roll balls to right and have the first baseman sprint to the cutoff spot on the throw line every rep; check his lineup with the plate.

Watch for

The first baseman drifting off the straight right-field-to-home line — if he is not lined up, the catcher cannot see the throw.

Runners On

Runner on 1st, Single to Right — Throw to Third

Runner on 1st 1 out RF → cutoff (SS) → 3B

A single to right with a runner on first trying to go first-to-third. The shortstop becomes the cutoff lined up with third — ready to cut it if the runner holds, or relay it if he goes.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Trail toward third base to back up the throw there.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate and call the play loud.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base behind the batter-runner.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base behind the lead runner.
3B

Third Base Bag

Straddle third, take the throw, and apply the tag.
SS

Shortstop Ball

Line up as the cutoff between right field and third base; read the runner and cut or relay.
LF

Left Field Backup

Cross over to back up third base from the outfield.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up the right fielder in case it gets by him.
RF

Right Field Ball

Field it cleanly and throw to third through the shortstop cutoff.

Key point

Runner first-to-third: the shortstop is the cutoff for the throw to third — he can cut it if the runner holds or relay it if the runner goes.

Drill

Single-to-right reps with a runner on first; the shortstop sprints to the cutoff line and reads the third-base coach.

Watch for

The shortstop standing flat-footed — he must be lined up between right field and third base to be any use.

Runners On

Runner on 3rd, Fly to Right — Tag and Throw Home

Runner on 3rd 1 out RF → cutoff (1B) → C at plate

A medium fly ball to right with a runner on third. The runner tags up and tries to score; the right fielder catches it and throws home through the first-base cutoff.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate, give a target, and take the throw for the tag.
1B

First Base Ball

Line up as the cutoff on the right-field-to-home line; read whether to cut or let it go.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover first base behind the first baseman.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base in case of a fake or a trailing runner.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Cross to back up second base.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up the right fielder on the catch.
RF

Right Field Ball

Catch the fly going toward the plate and throw through the cutoff to home.

Key point

On a tag-up at third, the throw home goes through the first-base cutoff — he reads whether to cut it for a trailing runner or let it go.

Drill

Fly ball to right with a runner tagging from third; the first baseman lines up on the right-field-to-home line every rep.

Watch for

Nobody lined up as the cutoff — the catcher can't see the throw and a trailing runner takes the next base uncontested.

Runners On

Runners on 1st & 2nd, Single to Left — Throw Home

Runners on 1st & 2nd 1 out LF → cutoff (3B) → C

A single to left with runners on first and second; the lead runner tries to score. The left fielder throws home through the third-base cutoff — and the shortstop covers third.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate and apply the tag.
1B

First Base Bag

Trail toward the plate as a second cutoff and cover first.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base behind the runners.
3B

Third Base Ball

Line up as the cutoff on the left-field-to-home line; cut or relay the throw.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover third base — the third baseman is the cutoff, so the bag is yours.
LF

Left Field Ball

Field it cleanly and throw home through the third-base cutoff.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up the left fielder on the play.
RF

Right Field Backup

Cross behind the infield to back up second base.

Key point

When the third baseman is the cutoff for a throw home, the SHORTSTOP covers third — the bag can never be left open.

Drill

Runners on first and second, single to left; third baseman lines up for the cutoff while the shortstop sprints to cover third.

Watch for

The cutoff man cutting a throw that had the runner dead to rights — only cut when the runner is clearly safe.

Runners On

Runner on 3rd, Ground Ball — Check and Throw

Runner on 3rd 1 out SS fields → look runner → 1B (3)

A ground ball to short with a runner on third, one out, infield back. The shortstop checks the runner back, then takes the sure out at first and concedes the run.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward first to back up the throw.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate and be ready if there's a play on the runner.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base.
3B

Third Base Bag

Hold the runner close and cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Ball

Field it, glance the runner back, then make the routine throw to first.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up the shortstop in case the ball gets through.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up first base.

Key point

Infield back, runner on third, one out: take the sure out at first and concede the run — don't chase a play at the plate you don't have.

Drill

Grounders with a runner bluffing off third; infielders give a quick look, then make the routine throw to first.

Watch for

An infielder rushing a throw home he was never going to make in time and airmailing it for an error.