Randy Marsh

[MIZFKU]

I understand that the catcher is setup inside but isn't that what being in the slot is supposed to help prevent. This isn't me being critical, I'm just looking for your opinions. I'm a young guy always looking for veteran's wisdom.

[johnnyg08]

When we stand behind the catcher and have people throw at us, anything can happened.

[BaBa Booey]

well it looks like in the clip that Randy is actually over the outside shoulder of the catcher, and thus, NOT in the slot. One of the reasons they teach you to work in the slot is to prevent the exact injury that Marsh got. The catcher was set up way inside and I'm sure he was just trying to adjust to see the pitch better, but when you move to the outside shoulder of the catcher, you increase that risk.

[johnnyg08]

I agree...he may have been working over the top of him, but probably not too far outside. I think we're splitting hairs over slot/no slot. You need to be in position to see the pitch, if the catcher takes away your slot, you do the best you can to see the pitch and F2 has to give you a good look if they want a strike called inside.

When I look at it again, it almost appears as though he was being lazy and didn't work where he should've been working and got drilled because of it. F2 was not really taking away his slot at all.

[GA Umpire]

You know that had to hurt. Got hit by a 91 mph fastball on what appeared to be the side of the jaw area. Just off to the right side of center and it looks like he turned his head just slightly as the ball is coming in. If he didn't do that, maybe it hits him in the center and who knows then. Maybe it doesn't hurt as much or it causes more damage.

Funny how 1/4 of an inch can make a world of difference.