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Originally Posted by SRW
I believe bkbjones took one to the face this year as well...
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Yeppers, I did. It actually concussed me, to the point where the last thing I remembered was the ball coming toward me...and then I was leaning against the backstop, glasses somehow caught in my arm, wondering what the hell happened and where am I, oh yeah, Queen Anne. Doctor would release me to work only if I wore a mask. So, for the few games I worked afterwards, I wore a mask.
I work the slot, same in FP and SP. If I get hit with a foul in FP, it usually is in the shoulder and is a reminder to get my fat *** in the slot. This happening in SP was a combination of TWP factors (Z level co-ed, catcher who had never played before, male batter using a very old 29-inch bat, yada yada).
At least I didn't turn my head. We have had a couple umpires who turned their heads (both times in FP) and took it in the side of the head. They were out of action for a while. Even though most facial bones and cartilage are thin, it beats the heck out of being whacked in the side of the head.
Keep your face forward. If you wear a mask, make sure it is loose so it absorbs the shock. Don't ever ever ever turn your head.