Pitch Lodged in Umpire's Equipment

[Blue37]

I had heard about it, but had never had seen it until last night. R2 going on the pitch. Right-handed batter swings at an inside fastball to protect the runner but misses. The catcher is trying to cheat on the catch so he can get the throw off quicker and the pitch deflects off his mitt and catches me on the bicep. The catcher pivots left to find the ball. I clear him then turn to pick up the play. He is looking all around and the runner keeps trucking around third and comes in to score. The catcher still cannot locate the ball. I check my left side ball bag and find an extra ball. The pitch had dropped into the bag after it hit me.

The runner went back to third.

[ozzy6900]

It used to happen quite often when we used to use the "raft" but since we went to the inside protector, this hasn't really been an issue.

[Ump29]

I have also had this happen but only once in 20 years, also the ball bag.

[zm1283]

After seeing this post, I realized it happened to me this year. It was actually on a foul ball. The batter fouled it off, F2 turned around to look for it. Neither of us saw it right away so I handed him a new ball. I look down and the ball that was fouled off was in my left ball bag. Pretty weird.

[umpjayfire]

I had a painful one this year...pitch in the dirt..swinging strike three...deflects off the catcher and nails me in the throat...as I'm writhing in pain the ball stays against my neck under my throat guard....My partner killed it and awarded first base....