Playing the Outfield- Why is hitting the cutoff man important?

Many outfield players from little league to even pro baseball miss cutoff men. Its something that I think is more of a mental error than a physical one. Every outfielder if they play long enough will over throw a cutoff man at some point in there career. It happens even if you don't intend it to happen. The most important thing about hitting the cutoff man is to know what to do and why you do it. 

The reason WHY you hit the cutoff man is because in case you don't throw out the runner then it stops the other runners advancing an extra base. I saw this happen the other night watching an MLB game. A runner was on 2nd base. A base hit was to centerfield. The centerfielder over threw the Shortstop cutoff man. The runner on second scored easily and the runner that hit the ball advanced to second base. This could of been avoided if the centerfielder would have thrown the ball lower to the cutoff man. The cutoff man could of cut the ball and held the runner at 1st base. 

Here are some Outfield Tips- 

1. A throw from the outfield has to be straight over the top. It can't have any side arm action. The reason is you don't want to throw a cutter to the cutoff man and make it more difficult for him to catch the ball and then throw to another base. The ball needs to be straight. 

2. Learn how to crow hop on throws from the outfield. 

3. Make sure the throw from the outfield is to the glove side of the cutoff man. It makes it a quicker relay. 

4. If you make a bad throw make sure the ball is thrown low so the cutoff man at least has a chance to pick it off the ground. This is a common mistake. Some outfielders try to throw the ball so hard they over throw the cutoff man and the ball sails over the cutoff mans head. When in doubt throw low not high from the outfield. 

5. As an outfielder you need to know where you are going to throw the ball depending on where its hit and how hard its hit.  As outfielder you need to think about what possibly could happen and where you are going to throw the ball before its hit. Know the baserunners and how fast they are and most importantly know your own speed and arm strength. 

6. If you can't throw out the runner at home on a base hit with a runner on second then make sure you just throw the ball to 2nd base to keep the runner from advancing. This is knowing the speed of the runner and knowing your own throwing ability. 

This is just some Outfield Tips on throwing from the outfield and I am sure I left some important details out. I hope this helps gives players and coaches some things to think about on outfield throws.  Please post with comments. 

Thanks, 

Tony Ross Maddi- Rico Custom Gloves