[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown

Worked a youth (15-17 year olds) fall league game this weekend. It was fun; pay was small; it was a bright beautiful sunny day, great for baseball.

However I got hit... and obviously didn't want to get hit.

New catcher entered the game in about the 7th inning (game went 10). He looked half asleep to begin with and I found him to be overall, very lazy. He was a lefty so his mitt was on the right hand. Pitch was at most 12 inches inside on a right handed batter. Catcher would have had to reach across his body to catch the pitch... he didn't even attempt to put his glove up. Pitch hits me on the outside of my left elbow. @@#$!!&%^#@%!$&. Pitcher was not throwing at me; catcher was just being lazy.

I've had this happen a few times this year where I felt the catcher was a relatively rookie and just being lazy - no intention to hit me, just inexperience and laziness. Thank God most of them hit protected areas. Bone shots to wrists, forearms, elbows are the worst.

It sure messes up my game because now, for the next couple of innings, I flinch on every pitch that I'm not confident is going to hit the catcher.

What have been your responses after getting hit similarly? Do you eject? Do you just suck it up? Do you say anything to the catcher? to the coach?

IMO, the important point is " 15-17 year olds "
Depending upon the talent level some 17 yr olds can bring the heat.

IMO we all take our share of bruises meaning balls bouncing in the dirt, deflecting off F2's mit on a Foul tip attempt or the ball fouled off B1's bat. IMO, that is what we are expected to absorb.

When F2 can't catch especially in the 15-17 yr. old range is a different story. IMO, it's not being a wimp if you do not want to take a FLUSH hit on an 85 mile per hour fastball because F2 didn't move his mit or doesn't know how to block the ball.

The time for trying out new F2's is for practice not Game time. Unless you wear armor (and even then), they do not make equipment that will absorb a Flush hit from an 85/90 mile perhour fast ball. You will GO down.

Therefore, in summary, yes we have to stay in the slot and aborb hits which result in the normal cource of baseball , however, if F2 can't catch that's a different story. IMO it has nothing to do with being macho or a wimp. They don't pay enough for me to be out of my regular job for any length of time.

Pete Booth