Knock on wood I've only been hit once by a batted ball while BU and that was on my heel from a bad hop hitting a staple holding down the brand new sod then bounced right at me.

I got hit by a foul on my left wrist. Thought it would be broken. I could only barely move my fingers and when I did move them it hurt badly. I continued to call the game holding my indicator w/ my right hand and removing my mask with my right hand which was extremely awkward. I got home put ice on it and could start moving my hand again.

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

How ironic that you call my friend stupid for changing to work the plate while forgetting to change into plate shoes, while you, not once but twice!! only put on one shin guard...who only puts 1 on and not the other??

I took one on the top of the thumb between my knuckles. I thought it was broke, but it ended up I only hurt that ligament on top. It was stunned for a few days, then it was ok after ice.

Remember guys, if you get an injury, ICE ICE ICE. Never heat untill the swelling has gone away.

20+ years and never been hit in the field. Close call once during a semi-pro game. I am in the C position and left my plate pants on for second game of double header. I pivot and spin on a ball hit at me, bases loaded. F6 fields ball after it deflected off my cuff. I did not feel a thing and he says it hit me. I try to explain that I did not feel a thing. He drops the subject, yet 2 runs score.

In between innings I ask my partner if he saw the ball. He clearly stated that it deflected off of me. I asked why he didn't speak up because an extra run scored that shoudn't have. The answer I got was yuo didn't ask. Fair enough and fortunately it had no effect on the game. Kind of wierd.

As for the dish, I have received a could share of black and blue marks. and yes I actually called the first batter to the plate once, and realized that I left my mask in the car.

I was stupid not to have to have both shins on. How's that for self-evaluation? Your friend is still stupid too.

:eek:Get nailed while on the radio. Doing game for LL district championship with the game being broadcast on the local AM station. Runner on third here's the pitch, ball is in the dirt batter swings misses the pitch. The problem is so does the catcher ball skips up collecting said umpire right in the side pocket( my cup had shifted ). The pitch is strike three and here comes the runner trying to score as I am almost collapsed up agaisnt the backstop. I make the call of out at the plate and then get to hear the announcers who are less then ten feet away commenting on the play and the discomfort of the umpire. It's bad enough getting nailed but having it on radio was the nail in the coffin. The only thing worse would have been if it could have gotten to youtube.:rolleyes:

This is my biggest fear, I've had a couple of screamers hit at me around head level and, while I've been able to get out of the way, it gives you some pause. I keep moving back while in B and C, safety has to be the top priority.