If the ball is hit to center with a runner on second and the first baseman cuts the ball, who has the throwback to first?

 

Answered above by others, but you also have to consider where the ball goes in the outfield. If it is in a gap deep, then 2B or SS is out getting a relay and you just leave 1B uncovered. I don't think I have ever seen a runner thrown out at 1B on a cutoff/throwback to first. You have to be careful about throwing behind runners.

If the ball is hit to center with a runner on second and the first baseman cuts the ball, who has the throwback to first?

 

2nd baseman takes the first cut (on deep ball), SS covers 2nd, 1st baseman is the secondary cut, and first base remains open. 2nd baseman is the first cut as his body is already in position to catch and throw, whereas the SS has to turn his body (assuming you have a righty at each position). SS covers 2nd as he can see the runner heading his way. First remains open, and if the runner rounds it wide, as the cutoff, you simply run at the runner and force him back to first. Granted, this is the ideal coverage in baseball where most teams take all fielding responsibilities away from a pitcher whenever possible. For softball, I would like to know the ideal setup as I'll need to start working on this with my girls next year.

I don't know if it is different for softball. In baseball, the pitcher backs up home and backs up third if a play may be going there. The first baseman is always the cutoff. If you have your 3B cutoff, who is covering third if you make a cut and go for an out there?

 

If ball is hit to LF and play is at home, pitcher is backing up home, 3B is cut and SS is covering the base.

With the short backstops an errant throw can be picked up by the catcher fairly quickly. I like the pitcher to stay in the middle of the field. She can easily cut the ball if needed and make a play on a runner trying to advance. Having the pitcher stay near the circle helps to kill the play as quickly as possible. The college game is a little different because the athletes are so much better, they easily move the ball around quicker.

 

What does it matter if the athletes are better in college? The game should be taught correctly no matter what the skill level of the players in my opinion.