Outfielders- when not to hit the cutoff.

Hey outfielders, HIT THE CUTOFF MAN! That seems like the battlecry of every coach after the outfielder airmails the cutoff allowing a runner to advance an extra base. In some cases, those extra bases can be very costly as it eliminates a double play or even worse it allows a tying or go ahead run to advance into scoring position.

This is where good coaching should come into play. Outfielders should have a signal that tells them the manager wants ALL THROWS TO SECOND BASE. This doesn't necessarily mean that all throws need to go to the 2B bag but rather to one of the middle infielders.

Situation: Defense is winning 5-3 with a runner on 2nd late in the game. Single to the centerfielder and he comes up attempting to throw the runner out at home. WHY? He is attempting to throw the 4th run out and who cares if he even hits the cutoff man. You have still put undue pressure on the outfielder. What should occur here is a signal that says all throws to second. When the ball is hit to an outfielder they simply concede the run and flip the ball into second base keeping the tying run at 1st base.

Managers should always be a nonverbal signal that communicates this to outfielders. You don't want the opposing 3rd base coach to know that you are doing this but you also need to make sure that your outfielders don't chase unimportant baserunners.