Location of hands during the delivery of the pitch.

[alabamabluezebra]

After being hit on both hands by one the hardest throwing pitchers in our area last night, I was wondering how other umpires protect their hands when working as the plate umpire. Is there an accepted mechanic or position for this situation? I don't know if I was blessed in other years but I am taking a ton of foul balls off of exposed areas of my body like areas between protective plates on my shin guards and chest protector. I work the "slot" using the "box" technique.