Relays and cutoffs.

Question
With relays to home plate, who is the cut-off person when the ball is hit to LF,
CF, and Rf. Also, if the ball is hit in the gaps (LC, or RC) who then is the cut-off
person to home?? Confused????

Answer
Hi Salvador,

Thank you for the question.  I found a figurative avalanche of information for my answer via Google by merely entering "coaching softball."   Try yourself entering "softball drills," "defensive softball," "softball relays and cutoffs" and the like.  Quoted heavily in my answer is information from the online book Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully by authors Veroni and Brazier.  I thank them.

First, let's nail down some terminology.  Although used interchangeably, there is a difference between a RELAY and a CUTOFF.  The difference is the distance involved with the throw.  If the throw cannot reach the target without help, the defense uses a RELAY.  A CUTOFF is a throw that can make it all the way to its target but gets "CUT OFF" to make another play or to hold a runner.  

RELAYS:  These are used for balls hit deep and/or beyond the outfielders.  For those hit to the right of the center fielder, send out the shortstop for the relay throw and the second baseman for backup.  For balls hit to the left of the center fielder, send out the second baseman for the relay throw and the shortstop for backup.  It stands to reason that for a ball hit to dead center either the shortstop or second baseman could do either job.  The first baseman is a good choice for the cutoff from a relay.  The pitcher backs up.

CUTOFFS:  These are used for balls hit to the shallow outfield.  For those hit to the right of the center fielder, use the third baseman for the cutoff.  The pitcher is the backup.  For those hit to the left of the center fielder, use the first baseman for the cutoff.  The pitcher is the backup.  Again, it stands to reason that for a ball hit directly to dead center that either the third baseman or first baseman could serve as the cutoff.  Due to their position in the center of the diamond, the pitcher can be assigned all cutoff duties.  The first baseman backs up.

DISCLAIMER:  I hate to make one, but I feel compelled to!  I have never coached.  I suspect that a poll of ten active softball coaches about relays and cutoffs would yield ten different opinions, as this defensive skill is as much art as science.  IMO, probably the most important factor is the arm strength and accuracy of your infielders.  On one team I played on as a youth, for example, our shortstop handled ALL relays and cutoffs, as he had an accurate cannon.  Our coach positioned him near second base on every pitch so he could easily get to all parts of the outfield in a hurry.  

Hope this helps, Scott