[DownTownTonyBrown]

Originally posted by Dave Hensley
...What you're advocating is the moral equivalent of a batter charging a pitcher after getting hit. Juvenile and totally inappropriate.

Think about it - batters get hit by pitches with regularity, and they wear far less protective equipment than umpires, and they are expected to suck it up and take their base. And for the most part, that's exactly what they do.

Not even remotely the same thing. Batters and catcher are allowed to move. This movement reduces the force of the incoming ball. Not so for the non-moving umpire - the full force of the thrown ball is absorbed at the location of the impact. That's why umpires buckle and hit the ground. That's why Atlanta Blue has suffered two broken wrists. I could likely catch a few fast balls bare handed - fans do it for homerun balls. But, hold your hands still and let the pitcher bean them. My guess is broken hand guaranteed.

HBP's are a part of the game, and umpires' getting hit occasionally is a part of the game, too. It's an occupational hazard, just like Atlanta Blue said. With proper positioning, proper mechanics, and proper protective equipment, serious injury is virtually completely avoidable,...

And the broken wrists...? Probably just a fluke. ... Twice.

If you can't stand the heat, there's always volleyball officiating.

Now that wouldn't be very manly... would it? Course I've seen volleyball players get knocked out, noses and fingers broken. What a bunch of wimps! Of couse that was the players and not the official.