For all those thinking you DON'T need to have an indicator on the bases

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by BigTex

Take a look at Fletcher getting hit. If he does not move and pull his arm in to "protect" himself, he takes it on the chest protector. Trust your gear.

It's easier said than done. I was a catcher up through college and have been blocking balls in the dirt for most of my life. Put me behind the plate and bury a curve 6 inches inside and it's coming straight at me and a few things will happen. If the catcher has a good read on it and is already moving over, then I can hold my ground. If it looks like he's just going to wave at it, I'll still try to hold my ground but you might get a flinch here and there. It just happens. Anyone who says they always stay in on every pitch every time forever no matter what probably does not do that.

On Sunday I took an untouched pitch to the shoulder. I would have liked to have moved out of the way for that one but somehow the catcher got crossed up and didn't even come close to getting a glove on it. It rushed up and in pretty quick and got me.