Hands
 

Just out of curiosity, where do you put your hands when you go set on the dish?

Right at my pockets or at my belt buckle, slightly apart, not looking like I'm resting on them. Makes it easier to knock the ball away from hitting my... you know.

My junk?? I lol'ed when I saw that! Co-workers looked at me funny (as usual).

I clicked "other" - I typically have my forearms resting lightly on my legs, hands hanging loosely. Maybe that is what you meant by "in from of your junk" ;), but...

http://eteamz.active.com/softballump...llstars-2a.jpg

With a wild pitcher and an iffy catcher, I will put my arms / hands behind my legs for protection, but not until I actually get wacked a few times (slow to learn, I guess).

I clicked "in front of my junk," though my stance and arm positioning looks eeriely similar to yours.

Yep, I clicked other. Wrists or forearms may be on thighs, but not the hands.

I've tried lots of different places for my hands, (no snappy comments here please).

Hanging them down to protect the family jewels seemed to get my fingers hit too much and that hurt....

I tried placing them behind my knees, but always felt slightly off balance.

I've settled on making fists and placing them at my belt buckle. It seems to make my drop into the plate stance more natural and my hands don't seem to get hit as much.

Tom's whole post (Text and photo) is exactly like me except for two possible differences: the gray hair and I set down a little lower. I use my arms to push off my legs it helps me stand up, and takes the pressure off my (bad) knees. While I have been hit in the hands I think it is WAY better that getting my junk bumped.

Also voted "other", a lot like Tom's photo. Used to be down at the side, but was told that looked amateurish, so I changed.
Some of you need to wear a cup and I think a fist would get more damage if it's hit.
Do you wide-stance slot folks have a good way to avoid inner thigh bruises?

In Tom's photos, it looks like the eyes are at the top of the zone.
BTW, I was complimented this year on getting down to the zone with 10&U.

BTW, Rachel took the picture. Thanks, Rachel!

No personal experience, yet, but one of my local umpires swears by this product by McDavid:


http://www.officialgear.com/shop.asp...3&pid=UMP~B754

Yikes! Those are expensive!

They also look like they'd be hot.

Thanks, Steve, looks good. Why is someone in Minn. worried about hot?

Hey, we've already had a couple of 90 degree days this year - early for us ... and I was behind the plate for one of them.

I have been using the HexPad shorts for the last two seasons and absolutely love them. Very light weight and breathable because of the wicking material. Not hot to wear at all. I used to get bruised badly but have not had a single bruise since using these. The pain from the impact is greatly reduced too. Well worth the investment.

"hDc Mosture Management Technology for heat control"

I'll expect to order at least one.