When a ball is hit to the outfield with runners on base, it’s often necessary to use a cut or relay play. This typically involves a middle infield player that is standing between the outfielder and the target base to direct the throw there.
Make sure the players catch the ball on their glove side to prevent overthrows. On the signal, each player moves up one hat position in the line.
Infielder
Relay throws are a different type of baseball throw than ground balls and line drives. Infielders need to be able to recognize these types of situations and quickly be prepared to take the relay throw.
Infielders should be able to communicate with each other on the relay tandem to see who is leading and what base they need to go to. This will help ensure that the throw gets to the right place on time.
During the game between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees, a relay throw from Guardians infielder Andres Gimenez hit MLB umpire Larry Vanover in the head. Fortunately, Vanover was released from the hospital on Friday.
When infielders are playing the role of trail cut off man they should stay about 20-30 feet behind the lead cut off man and be constantly communicating with them telling them to look left or right, to hold or throw and to what base. They should also be able to back up and take the ball from the lead cut off man if they miss or overthrow it.
Outfielder
In the case of a relay, the outfielder is responsible for two things – fielding the ball and throwing it. The goal of the outfielder is to get into position so they can throw the ball to their relay man quickly. They must do this while also attempting to make the throw as cleanly as possible.
Ideally, the outfielder will catch the ball at chest height (this is easier to handle). They should then immediately begin positioning their feet for a quick throw to third base. The throw should be on the inside of the runner (this prevents them from being hit in the back).
Infielders can also record assists by tagging a runner trying to advance past a base, such as when a batter/runner attempts to stretch a single into a double. This play is usually referred to as a cutoff. A throw that lands in this zone will be called a Perfect Throw.
Relay Man
The relay man is the infielder who throws to a base when a runner tags and attempts to advance to that base without the ball being caught. The relay man should be able to quickly locate the ball and get it to third base for an out.
To do this the relay man must be able to catch the ball and start positioning their feet at the same time. They want to make sure they are in-line with third base so that if the ball is overthrown it will still end up at third.
It is important to communicate with the lead cutoff man, letting them know whether to hold or throw and what base they should be aiming for. The trail cut off man should also keep his head on a swivel so that he can quickly locate the runner in case the lead player lets the ball go by him. This is why he should stay about 20-30 feet behind the lead player and not too close.
Pitcher
When an outfielder fields a ball and is unable to throw it to third base they need a relay man. The relay man is an infielder who positions themselves somewhere between where the outfielder fielded the ball and third base. This allows the outfielder to make a quick throw that can get the runner out.
The relay man should begin positioning themselves as soon as they see the outfielder catch the ball. This will allow them to get in a good throwing position before the outfielder is done running towards third base.
Some players, like Braves catcher Travis D’Arnaud, have expressed their displeasure with MLB’s new PitchCom system, saying it “rushes the game.” However, many feel that the device is necessary to combat teams who steal signs from opposing pitchers. If the device is effective, it may eventually eliminate sign-stealing altogether. MLB중계
