Hit in the line of duty

[SAWolf]

Ok, how bad have you been hit? (both behind the plate and on base)



This was when I was working 2 man team I was in position C about the 8th inning.

Before this happened the pitch had tried to pick-off R3 and I was worried that I'd missed a balk and was probably concentrating a little too much on the pitcher. The batter then smashed this pitch about 2 ft off the ground straight at me. Ouch! I finished the game and iced the leg it took about 3 weeks to clear.

One of the older more experienced guys said that a good umpire doesn't get hit cause he can read the play and not get in the way. Looks like I got a way to go.

[cardinalfan]

I feel for you, bro.
My thigh looked like that a couple of years ago after I got hit while working the plate. I invested in McDavid Hexpad tights shortly thereafter.

I got hit in the ankle while in the C position last year. Thankfully, it didn't leave near the mark that you've got there!

Sounds like your buddy has been lucky. He may have to eat those words. Kids are hitting the ball harder all the time, and I'm sure his reflexes aren't as good as they used to be.

[TwoBits]

The worst ones happened when I first started:

1) Hit in shallow C position by a line drive in the shin. Learned very quickly that I did not have to be that close to the pitcher and the plate to see what I needed to see.

2) Dropped by a foul ball that catcher did not glove straight into my collar bone. I was standing a little too upright using a cheap chest protector that had slid down under my collar bone.

3) Of course, the obligatory cup check. That game had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning, and apparently I ruined the pitcher's momentum because he gave up a hit in that same inning.

[cardinalfan]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

3) Of course, the obligatory cup check. That game had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning, and apparently I ruined the pitcher's momentum because he gave up a hit in that same inning.

Ding, ding. We have a winner!
Let's see somebody beat that story!

[mandotheman]

It is true, the kids are hitting harder than before...I was in the B position and took a low line drive to the foot...right off my toe...it was numb for the rest of the game but I kept going. I thought it was broken, but to my surprise it wasn't..

[BretMan]

Had a pitch bounce off the plate, go right through the catcher, then slam home up under the small end of my cup. Dropped me like a box of rocks and took me to that dark, far off place where nothing else exists but blinding pain for a few seconds. A few minutes later, the cobwebs cleared and we're playing ball.

Next inning- the same thing happens again! As I'm lying there on the ground, somebody says, "Are you okay, Blue?". Gee, whadya' think...

The first thing that popped into my head, and out of my mouth, was, "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just damn glad that I'm done having kids!".

I can't recall ever being hit by a batted ball while playing the field. I've had some close ones, but always managed to get out of the way. One partner I had wasn't so lucky.

He was in "C" and the batter ripped one right at him. He turned to avoid it, but the ball hooked right into him. He zigged when he should have zagged.

The first place the ball hit him was on the end of the thumb, as he had his arms and hands tucked in tight against his body. That ripped the nail off of his thumb and had blood just pouring out. The ball richocheted into his wrist and instantlly raised a lump about the size of a baseball. It looked like the wrist bone had snapped and was pressing up from behind the skin (turns out it wasn't broken). One of the nastier things I've seen on a field- and I've seen some nasty ones!

Off to the ER he went, as I finished the game solo.

[cardinalfan]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Had a pitch bounce off the plate, go right through the catcher, then slam home up under the small end of my cup. Dropped me like a box of rocks and took me to that dark, far off place where nothing else exists but blinding pain for a few seconds. A few minutes later, the cobwebs cleared and we're playing ball.

Next inning- the same thing happens again! As I'm lying there on the ground, somebody says, "Are you okay, Blue?". Gee, whadya' think...

The first thing that popped into my head, and out of my mouth, was, "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just damn glad that I'm done having kids!".

I can't recall ever being hit by a batted ball while playing the field. I've had some close ones, but always managed to get out of the way. One partner I had wasn't so lucky.

He was in "C" and the batter ripped one right at him. He turned to avoid it, but the ball hooked right into him. He zigged when he should have zagged.

The first place the ball hit him was on the end of the thumb, as he had his arms and hands tucked in tight against his body. That ripped the nail off of his thumb and had blood just pouring out. The ball richocheted into his wrist and instantlly raised a lump about the size of a baseball. It looked like the wrist bone had snapped and was pressing up from behind the skin (turns out it wasn't broken). One of the nastier things I've seen on a field- and I've seen some nasty ones!

Off to the ER he went, as I finished the game solo.

Good stories. 2 shots to the nads in one game. People were laughing at you. I'm sure you don't remember it, but they were... trust me, they were.

[mick]

Originally Posted by cardinalfan

I feel for you, bro. ....

Bro?
Is that a man's leg?

[archangel]

A partner who I schedule most of my games with, is running late to our dbl hdr, expects to arrive about 15 min prior. We have a routine that he is always PU for the 1st game, under his assumption that its the better game/pitchers(not always so, but I dont care, he's a friend).

This time, since he's running late, he calls and wants to switch- no problem. Between games we walk to our cars to change, then start the 2nd game. 2nd inning, catcher misses a low fastball, hits PU directly on front of his shoe, he falls backward on his back in pain, holding his foot up with his hands. Coaches come out, players all around, but he finally stands up- tells me quietly that he forgot to change into plate shoes(ouch), thinks he broke his big and another toe.

I ask if he wants to go and change now, he says too late-they've swollen up, parking lot kinda far away---play ball. 4th inning, same thing happens-same foot, on his back ect, except this time there's tears in his eyes....I told him I'll put on my gear but he says no, and goes to change shoes, limping away and back.
2 broken toes, limped all season, lost the nails.......lesson?

[Kevin Finnerty]

It is virtually impossible to "forget" to change into your plate shoes. How does one bog that badly?

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

It is virtually impossible to "forget" to change into your plate shoes. How does one bog that badly?

No kidding. I would feel extremely awkward with my base shoes on with shin guards.

[mandotheman]

I know alot of umpires that do not wear plate shoes...and when I hear about situations like this, they will soon learn to wear plate shoes when doing the dish...

[Durham]

A good friend of mine worked for years without wearing a cup, until one day he got hit and was carrying a grape fruit around in his ball bag.

[piaa_ump]

Foul ball to the forearm.....Initially I thought my arm was broken....but was able to move the fingers etc.....made it through the game and drive myself right to the hospital....Once in the ER, the ER doc took one look at the arm and said "that arm is broken, lets get some xrays".........which we did.......as it turned out......not broken.........deep bone bruise......I was black and blue and green and yellow from my shoulder to my fingertips....

The only equipment mistake I've made was in a hurry to get dressed for the plate.....I rushed to the field....dressed and got to the plate while my partner was finishing up covering the plate meeting for me... Out of habit, I usually tap each heel on my shin guards prior to the first pitch......

Yup I had forgotten to put on my shins........plate shoes, cup, ball bags, cp.....but no shins......made it through the first inning and sent one of the ball boys to my car for the shins and got them on before the start of the 2nd....

[cardinalfan]

Keep the good stories coming! I love 'em.


Many years ago I knew a guy who got married on Friday night. He & his wife weren't able to leave on their honeymoon until Sunday.
On Saturday, they walked down to the local park to watch a Little League game. No umps, so he volunteered.
No cup... Balloon CP...You know where this is going. He was in the dirt in a fetal position. I offered to go on his honeymoon for him, but he declined.