Hit in the line of duty

[bigbeardedbryan]

I broke two cups working the same HS JV game last year. Two pitchers who would've been great from about a 55' mound and two catchers who should have stayed home to play XBox made for a long day.

The first one one-hopped in front of the home catcher, snuck between his legs, and then caught me between mine. I grunted and waddled to the car, thankful to have a spare, as my partner laughed it up and explained the situation to both coaches. (At our next association meeting, a poll was taken, and nobody else there carried two cups at the time. I can't say whether my experience has changed this.)

An inning and a half later, another "perfect" shot into the fresh cup. I turned green and finished on the bases. I'm pretty sure nobody blames me.

[DG]

I have been hit in the arms, legs above the shin guards, lower rib cage below the protector, and throat (bouncing balls). Most notable problem was getting hit in the hand on an inside pitch that broke my left hand pinky finger, in the first game of a college game DH on a Saturday. I completed both games and went to doctor on Tuesday. Wore a splint for about 6 weeks.

I changed to GD stance not long after this and have still been hit, but not in the fingers.

[SAWolf]

Nope, I didn't try to turn my back on the ball, it was side on. Point of impact as just between the scar (on the fron of the shin) and the knee just to the right of the bone. The doc said that it wouldn't have bruised so much if I'd stopped and iced it immediately. Instead I stayed in and finished the game.

Btw, the pic was taken 3 days after the game.

[Rich]

I took a shot last year while in C. Ball hit the side of the mound, changed direction right into my left leg. Working a Men's game about 10 years ago, no bat rule, metal bats, this guy drills a laser right into my left hip (I only had time to "turn a cheek.") So 2 in 20+ years. Those that think it's cause of bad umpiring should just know you're one pitch away. Sometimes it's just hit too hard or, in my case, hits something and you're too close to do anything but call time and award bases while both teams complain.

I moderate an email list of umpires, many of whom work college ball and good high school baseball and SIX of us got hit last season. I think there's no doubt that when the pitching gets worse and the hitting gets better (harder), this kind of thing happens more often, but SIX?

[mbyron]

Hey Rich: 6 out of 12, or 6 out of 1,500?

[PeteBooth]

IMO, the Metal bat has ruined the game both for the particpants and for umpires.

I am in a much 'deeper' position when the participants use metal as opposed to wood. If that means I lose angle on the pick-off attempts at first base then so be it.

Self preservation comes first. I do not care if you are in tip top shape or out of shape. if a power hitter gets a hold of one you simply have ZERO time to react. All you can do is try getting hit in an area that will not be fatal.

Also, as far as the 'B" / 'C" positions go it depends upon the pitching meaning if F1 is "losing it" I go opposite the power alley of the hitter so if he does get a hold of one I am on the opposite side.

Hopefully, wood will come back sooner rather than later.

Also, FWIW I cannot understand why they allow College kids to use metal. can you imagine Big Poppy or Albert Pujols using a metal bat?

Pete Booth