Quote:
Originally Posted by BigTex
Take a look at Fletcher getting hit. If he does not move and pull his arm in to "protect" himself, he takes it on the chest protector. Trust your gear.
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It's easier said than done. I was a catcher up through college and have been blocking balls in the dirt for most of my life. Put me behind the plate and bury a curve 6 inches inside and it's coming straight at me and a few things will happen. If the catcher has a good read on it and is already moving over, then I can hold my ground. If it looks like he's just going to wave at it, I'll still try to hold my ground but you might get a flinch here and there. It just happens. Anyone who says they always stay in on every pitch every time forever no matter what probably does not do that.
On Sunday I took an untouched pitch to the shoulder. I would have liked to have moved out of the way for that one but somehow the catcher got crossed up and didn't even come close to getting a glove on it. It rushed up and in pretty quick and got me.