First game tonight.........decent 12U ball..........BUT.......both teams are decimated from a "Bug" running through the local middle school.........one team only had 8 players (picked up a younger kid to start with 9)......and the other team only had 9 players.....

Both teams regular catchers are at home ill...........

Sooooooo..........I get a wonderful evening behind the plate with 2 brand new.....never played F2 catchers.......

All I can say right now is...........ouchhhh......

I got drilled on the 2nd pitch (inside fastball) that I think the Home catcher never even saw.........

I got hit more in this game than in any 10 that I remember............

Thank goodness for good equipment..........

Shinnies, mask, chest-protector took 90% of it.........but......exposed arms, wrists, and hands got nailed their fair share........

The last inning was the worst........and I did not get a chance to voice my displeasure to either coach since the game ending play resulted in an injury........and I was not going to hang around while they tended to the injured player.........

I did get a bit pissed at the home coach when he said......."good stop blue".........after taking a shot to the wrist........(the pitch before was right off one of my shinnies".........

Joel



[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Apr 2nd, 2002 at 10:47 PM]

Joel,

I don't mean to be cruel, but I couldn't stop laughing as I read your post. Not laughing at you - just by the vision of your description and having been in similar situations. It's been a tough day, thanks for helping it end with a smile!! Hope you're not too sore tomorrow.

"...good stop blue!" (grin . . . grin)


Gary

Gary.........and I stayed set on every pitch.........no flinches..............:D

I do have one really good bruise starting though.........

My rookie partner tonight did comment after the game that he was glad I took the plate for that one......(he does NOT have all of his protective equipment........lol).......

Joel

Thank goodness for good equiptment, Advil and hot baths!!
Maybe you need some fore arm padding Gulf if you plan on calling these teams again! :D

new catchers = ouch
 

I feel your pain.

Sounds like some of the LL minor league games that I ump. Inside pitches are the worst. Inexperienced catchers just don't get the glove up fast enough. The resulting forearm shots leave your hand numb for about 10 minutes and the bruises have people asking questions for about a week. I toyed with the idea of hiding behind an outside protector, but wound up buying some forearm pads (football style) and wear one on my left arm during these games.

Then there is the problem of getting the ball back to the pitcher. Imagine this scenario (with no runners on base):

1) Catcher misses the ball
2) Catcher whips off helmet - runs to back stop
3) Catcher fires ball back to pitcher
4) Pitcher misses the ball
5) Center fielder picks up the ball - fires it back to pitcher
6) Pitcher misses ball again
7) Pitcher, catcher, & F5 converge on ball near 3rd baseline
8) Pitcher finally gets back to the mound while catcher has to ajust equipment (straps on shin guards - usually too large...) and puts on helmet.

Multiply this scenario by how many pitches per inning???

-Kono

Joel -

Been there, done that..I feel your pain.

Here is how a buddy of mine handled a similar situation -

After about two innings of bad F2 play on both sides, he went to one of the dugouts and grabbed a spare mitt. He then proceeded to catch and drop any ball that got by the catcher. He did it for both teams the remainder of the game, caught some grief from the coaches, but at least he wasn't one big bruise the next day.

BTW, this was a rec league game...not ASA championship play. (Although I wouldn't put something like this past this guy in ASA play!)

Joel,

I've called a few like that! I'm always amazed at the umpires around here who don't wear all their equipment when calling the younger ages... that's when I get peppered the most. Not life threatening, but it can sure sting.

Try to give the coach who made the "nice stop" comment a break - maybe he was embarassed about his team / feeling sorry for you and was just trying to lighten things up a bit.

Joel,

I can only say, better you than me.
Does sound as though you had a tough
two games. Hope the next round is a
lot easier and less painful. [grin]
Katie wasn't involved..was she??


glen

Much better tonight.....thank you glen.......only got hit once on a foul ball.......and it missed the areas that were sore from last night......grin

Katie was asked to be a pickup player for the team that only had 8 (she had come early to the Ballpark with me and was playing in the late game).......but I told the coach since I was umpiring.....not a good Idea

Joel