Hi Brian, I am not really...

Question
Hi Brian,  I am not really a baseball fan but I have a few things that I hope you can explain.  First, what is pitching from the stretch--is this when there is someone on base.  What is the advantage of using a windup?  
The other question I have is when an outfielder gets the ball and has to quickly get it to some base, the announcer always talks about the cut off man.  Why does the outfielder sometimes throw directly to the base and try and get the runner out and other times throw to the cut off man?   Thanks very much.  

Answer
Doug,

Pitching from the stretch is what a pitcher does with a runner on base.  Typically, a pitcher can throw the ball with more power out of a windup then out of the stretch.  So they generally use a windup with no one on base.

As far as throwing from the outfield, it depends on many things, but the basic determination is if the fielder can throw it to the proper base with velocity and accuracy, then they don't need to hit the cutoff man.  However, if their arm is not as strong, or the ball is hit deep, or the runner is fast, or there are multiple runners and the play could be to different bases, then they should hit the cutoff man.  It is difficult to throw a strike to home from the outfield, so the cutoff man is almost always required to relay the throw to home.

Hope this helps!

Brian