At some levels, especially the lower Co-ed rec levels, it doesn't matter if you have a "perfect" slot set-up, you still run the risk of getting hit by the ball somehow. As for pitches coming back up and hitting you in the leg, that's a catcher concern. Some catchers are put back there because they're the worst fielder on the team. As for foul balls coming back to hit you, it's because they came off the handle of the bat, and the catcher didn't have the wisdom to try and catch the stupid thing. 9 times out of 10, the catcher will look at me and wonder if they should apologize or they will apologize, but not with so much sincerity in their voice.

At the upper levels, I RARELY and I mean RARELY have a problem with this. If it does occur, it's because the ball took a weird spin that the catcher didn't anticipate. Those are usually followed by a sincere apology by the catcher and a "hmmm, that was weird" comment. I'm usually more forgiving because I know it took a weird bounce or spin and it caught both of us off-guard.

As for a mask, I wouldn't wear one, because I've only gotten one in the face in 15 years I've been doing this. Also, I wouldn't wear one because I don't want to hear our evaluators chirpping about how lame it looks, or how it looks just so wrong to see it in a slow-pitch game. I'm seriously considering shin guards (soccer type) for the lower level rec games next year, because it seems like the number of those bouncing shin smackers are increasing every year.