All;
I've already stated what I do when the catcher cannot catch: move behind the mound or alter your mechanics to get directly behind the catcher no matter where he is. Yet, with all of the entertainment that we have had with this thread, I thought that I might add one more story from my experience. (In order to create more entertainment, of course.)
I was doing 16-18 year old fall ball game and in the top of the first inning a pitch came in high and inside. I took a shot off the mask and the ball spun the mask off of my face. No one was on base and the catcher made no effort to catch the ball. As it spun off my face, the plastic edge of the mask slid across my cheek and opened up a gash which started bleeding profusely.
The catcher said "Sorry blue, In fall ball, I don't try to stop the ball when no runners are on base."
Since I believe the blood rule applies equally to officials as well as players, I left the game for the emergency room and my partner got to finish it by himself. I have no idea what he did to the catcher but he heard the same remark that I did.
My bill at the emergency room was $450 for three stitches to my face. Since this was early in the fall season, I was unable to work any more fall ball because I could not wear a mask. My personal health insurance deductible was $500, so this all came out of my pocket and the association's inusurance refused to pay. Likewise, the league insurance did not cover umpires.
My total fall pay that year was $280. Therefore, I was in the hole $170 for the fall season. While I have never ejected a catcher who cannot catch, I certainly sympathize with those who advocate that position. For me, I just turn down most of the crap that is offered to me in the fall. I have found that the lackadasical attitude towards fall play is not conducive to good umpiring or safety.
Peter
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