Cuts & Relays
On a cutoff or relay, which side should the ball be thrown, and where should the person receiving the ball turn when they catch it, and why?
Throw and turn glove side because it keeps your body moving efficiently into the throw and helps you get rid of the ball faster.
During a first & third play, what is the job of the third baseman when 1 / 501 is called?
Cover third base.
What is the difference between a sacrifice bunt and a sneaky bunt?
A sacrifice bunt is shown early and meant to move a runner; a sneaky bunt is shown late and meant for the batter to reach safely.
Runner on first, no outs. Ground ball hit to shortstop. What is the defense looking to do?
Field the ball cleanly, get the force at second, and possibly get a double play.
Name two things you can control.
Attitude, effort, body language, communication, preparedness.
On a ball hit to the outfield with a possible play at home, what should the cutoff do before receiving the throw?
Get big, line up on the correct throwing side, call for the ball, and wait to hear “cut” or “all the way.”
In our team's first & third defense, where does the second baseman cut off the throw in play 2 / 502 and what do they do with the ball?
1. Between the pitcher and second base
2. Listen for their teammates to call out, look home, then 3, then 2
If corners crash on defense, who must communicate and cover first?
Second baseman
Runner on second, no outs. Ball hit on the ground to the right side of the field. What is the runner doing?
Advance hard to third.
After making an error, what is the best next response?
Reset quickly and focus on the next play.
What should the cutoff be listening for on a live throw from the outfield?
Whether to cut it or let it go through.
True or False: For the first & third play 3 / 503, the pitcher receives the ball and returns to the mound.
False, the pitcher receives the ball and should be head up looking for runners and listening for teammates.
1. Crash, field the bunt
2. Get back to their base, if they do not field the bunt
Runner on third, less than 2 outs, ground ball back to the pitcher. What is the baserunner doing?
Take a solid lead and read the play - get back if the pitcher checks you in a throwing position; score if the ball gets through, is thrown to first or is otherwise misplayed and you get a good jump.
What are the 3 B's in softball, in order?
Ball, base, backup
On an outfield throw in, what does it mean to "line up" and why is it important?
“Lining up” means getting in a straight line between the outfielder and the base the throw is going to. It’s important because it keeps the throw on line, gives the outfielder a target, and allows the cutoff to either relay the ball quickly or let it go through.
Whose job is it to back up third during the first & third play 4 / 504?
Left field
When bunting, what should the batter try to do with the bat angle and the ball to make it a "good bunt"?
Keep the bat controlled, positioned in front of the plate and slightly angled to either side so it makes it fair and away from the pitcher/catcher, with little movement using your legs to go up and down.
Deaden the ball by catching it near the bottom of the barrel/top of the ball so it stays on the ground in a tough spot for the defense.
Bases loaded. Two outs. Bottom of the 7th. Tie game. What is the batter's mentality?
Keep it simple, know your strike zone, put the ball hard in play.
What does good dugout presence look like? Name two things.
Being engaged, charting, cheering, communicating, being ready, knowing situations.
Ball hit to deep left-center with a runner on first trying for third. You are the cutoff. Who are you and what do you do?
I am the shortstop. Get in line to third, get big, call for the ball, and be ready to either relay it or let it go through based on the play.
It's first & third defense, and coach calls 5 / 505 but the runner does not run. What do you do?
Catch the ball, pop up and look at the runners, get the ball back to the pitcher.
Who backs up bases during bunt coverage? What is the most important part about back ups in general and at Washington?
Any player not fielding the bunt or covering a base must be in backup. In general, backups need enough depth and at Washington must play the fence line because balls can roll to the corner.
Runners on second and third, one out, fly ball hit to left field. What are the runners doing?
Both runners are tagging. The runner at third is preparing to score. The runner at second is reading the catch, seeing the ball through, and being careful of the cutoff while deciding whether to advance.
What is a productive out? Explain and give an example.
It means you got out, but your at-bat still helped the team.
Examples: Sac bunt that moves a runner from second to third; Fly ball deep enough for a runner to tag and score; Ground ball to the right side that moves a runner from second to third; Ground ball with less than 2 outs that scores a runner from third