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A few comments about your responses.
Okay, she was probably throwing closer to 50 mph. Before the game, coaches from both teams made comments about her speed. One said close to 60 and the other said well over 50. I can tell you this, she threw as hard as any varsity high school pitcher that I have ever seen. She was a strong girl and big for 10 years old. Don't forget, I said she had almost no control, so it is not impossible for a big and strong 10 year old to throw that hard with no control.
For wadeintothem, she would probably make front page news if she had any control; remember, I said that she had no control.
I got hit plenty last year, especially with the 12 and under--fast pitcher and bad catcher. I even got a fractured hand from a pitch last year and a few very bad bruises to my inner thighs--those hurt. Even though I was getting hit a lot, I never even considered doing what I did last night. However, I have never been in a situation like I had yesterday. In two innings, I got hit hard in the hand, arm and thigh. I deflected about a dozen hard and direct pitches off of my equipment. I ducked from probably another dozen pitches that whizzed by my head. I missed a couple of late swings by batters because I was ducking from pitches that were coming at my head and a catcher who couldn't even get a glove on them. I have been around softball long enough to know that what I was experiencing was very unusual. After the second inning, I had had enough. Working behind the pitcher wasn't a problem calling balls and strikes; I wasn't too concerned that she would throw any strikes.
Thanks Atlumpsteve; we are not there to be the backstop for out of control pitchers. I enjoy umpiring, but it was completely unenjoyable working behind the plate with that girl pitching. If I have to stay behind the plate in that situation again, I will be giving up umpiring.
I believe it was irresponsible for her coach, which was her father, to allow her to pitch like that to other 10 and under girls. Is there anyone out there that would have considered not allowing this girl to pitch to 10 and under girls? She hit two girls with very hard pitches. One pitch was to the girl's knee, and I am surprised it didn't do serious damage. I felt bad for every girl that had to go up to the plate against her. Is there anyone out there that would have done something to protect those girls? As umpire, I felt a little responsibility to protect the girls.
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