Umpire HIT BY PITCH

[Dave Hensley]

Wow, this thread really separates the men from the boys. Atlanta Blue's comments are spot on. You guys bragging about threatening to eject a catcher just because you get hit a couple of times are, simply put, wimps.

What you're advocating is the moral equivalent of a batter charging a pitcher after getting hit. Juvenile and totally inappropriate.

Think about it - batters get hit by pitches with regularity, and they wear far less protective equipment than umpires, and they are expected to suck it up and take their base. And for the most part, that's exactly what they do.

HBP's are a part of the game, and umpires' getting hit occasionally is a part of the game, too. It's an occupational hazard, just like Atlanta Blue said. With proper positioning, proper mechanics, and proper protective equipment, serious injury is virtually completely avoidable, and those annoying bumps and bruises can be minimized.

If you can't stand the heat, there's always volleyball officiating.