Surprised by an MLB 'Center Field Double Play'—The Essence of Cutoff Plays That Decide Games @ Kyujien (Former Professor, 710th Day of Retirement)

Zero runs despite a bases-clearing hit—The super coordination shown by the Brewers' defense

Last year's MLB World Series was incredibly compelling, and the final game in particular was one of the top five most intense battles I have ever watched. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of drama unfolds this year as well. Among the MLB games, one that left a particularly strong impression on me was Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, held at American Family Field on October 14th last year. This game was a tense pitching duel between starters Ashby and Snell. In the top of the fourth inning, with the score tied at zero, the Dodgers created a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and one out. Muncy was at the plate. The ball he hit was a high fly ball that traveled deep into center field, and honestly, I thought it would be a bases-clearing extra-base hit. Center fielder Frelick chased it to the wall and attempted a jumping catch, but the ball hit his glove and spilled out. However, the subsequent movement of the Brewers' defense was brilliant. Frelick immediately threw the ball to the relay man. During this time, third-base runner Teoscar Hernandez had retreated to third base, delaying his dash to home plate. The Brewers did not miss this opening and tagged the runner out at home. Furthermore, the second-base runner, Smith, had not fully advanced to third, so catcher Contreras stepped on third base for the out. The result was a 'center field double play,' and the inning ended with no runs scored. As a viewer, I had assumed a run had scored the moment the ball spilled out and was even clapping. That is why I was stunned for a moment when the out was called, not understanding what had happened. But from the Brewers' perspective, this was a great defensive play that capitalized on the opponent's baserunning mistake and executed an ideal relay. It is easy to understand why the players were high-fiving each other. (Please also see the title photo and the photo below: Note 1)

Learning the depth of 'cutoff plays' through 'Kyujien'

Because of that, I would like to write a little about this 'relay play,' what is known as a 'cutoff play' in Japan (called a 'cutoff play' in MLB). I recently watched a special feature on this on NHK BS's 'Kyujien.' The program covered the coordination techniques between infielders and outfielders, the judgment of coaches, and the reasons for the low success rate from various angles, making me realize once again the depth of this play. In television broadcasts, the focus is inevitably on the ball, making it difficult to see the overall defensive positioning and coordination, but in reality, a highly sophisticated organizational play is unfolding. (Please also see the photo below)

A cutoff play in baseball is not just a technique for connecting the ball from the outfield to the infield. It encapsulates the team's overall strategy, the individual physical abilities of the players, and split-second judgment. The probability of getting an out is by no means high, which is precisely why the value of a successful play is so great. When you look down at the movement of the entire defensive unit from the stadium, you can clearly see the dynamism and the beauty of the precise coordination. I also experienced softball as a player and manager during my college days, so I greatly empathize with how interesting it is. Although, since my defensive position was third base, I was never actually at the center of a cutoff play.

The essence of cutoff plays and advanced techniques

The essence of a cutoff play lies in the infielder receiving a throw that has begun to lose momentum in the vast outfield and re-accelerating it. If an outfielder tries to force a direct throw to home plate, the risk of the throw losing speed, bouncing, or becoming an errant throw increases. Therefore, the relay infielder moves into the optimal position and connects the low, sharp throw to the next destination, which ultimately shortens the arrival time. This is not just a 'relay,' but an important process that enhances the accuracy of the entire play while maintaining the quality of the throw.

Among these, the cutoff man (infielder) is crucial. They must instantly grasp the direction of the hit, the outfielder's catching position, the runner's movement, and the target of the throw, and move into the most efficient line—the 'reverse-ku' (reverse-L) position. Moreover, the movement from catching to throwing must be as short as possible, and high technique is required for body orientation and footwork. As the masters say, the strength and accuracy of the throw change depending on how you shift your weight onto your pivot foot. On the other hand, outfielders also have an important role. The basic rule is to throw accurately to a position that makes the next action easy, specifically to the cutoff man's chest; if this is off, the entire sequence of plays will fall apart. (Please also see the photo below)

Japanese 'Design Beauty' vs. MLB 'Physical Ability'

Japanese cutoff plays are often described as highly 'designed defense' that includes detailed positioning and backup from multiple players. The overall rules are thoroughly implemented, and there is even a sense of beauty in watching it. On the other hand, in MLB, for a long time, scenes that relied on the players' arm strength, judgment, and physical ability have stood out. A symbol often cited for this is the 'The Flip' by the Yankees' Jeter. The shortstop, who shouldn't have been there, runs toward the first-base line, catches the ball, and tosses it to home plate while facing the other way. That play encapsulated intuition and physical ability that cannot be explained by systems alone. However, in recent MLB, data utilization has progressed, and relay plays seem to have become much more systematic than before. That is a natural trend in aiming for victory. However, I also have a feeling that I want MLB to retain the extraordinary physical ability and plays born from sudden inspiration that are unique to MLB. (Please also see the photo below)

When you see a scene like the 'center field double play' from the other day, you realize that behind the flashy home runs and fastballs, these split-second coordinations significantly sway the flow of the game. That depth is one of the true thrills of baseball. Starting next week, the WBC quarterfinals will be held in the United States. That is something to look forward to as well.

----
Note 1: From the NHK BS 'Kyujien' special feature on 'Cutoff Plays'