I've been clobbered a bunch here lately too! Several balls into the crotch of my lower/upper arm (the part of the arm in front of the elbow) and a couple to the mid radius (the bone on the thumb side of your forearm). The fleshy ones sting but the shots to the radius are excruciating and do make you wonder if something is broken.
The last half dozen games I've done I have taken to placing one arm, the exposed one, behind my back. The other arm, one behind the catcher, I leave on my knee/thigh. The method seems to work okay. As long as the pitcher moves along and doesn't spend 5-10 seconds in the set position my thigh muscles hold a good steady stance. Although, after getting beaned in both thighs they are a little tender also.
During American Legion district tournament this weekend... One shot an inch above the top of my shin guard inside of the left thigh. Two innings later, exact same spot. First one stung. Second time required a little dancing, cringing, and sucking in of my breath. Next day, solid shot to front of mid right thigh (three days later the bruise/tenderness is about 5-6 inches in diameter). Third day of the tournament - no shots to my body but it sure was tough couching. Even today it is painful to walk up and down stairs.
Shot to right thigh was through the catcher! How do those balls sneak their way through everything to hit the umpire so solidly? Behind the catcher is supposed to be a safe zone.
Renaissance Armour might be the answer
