Getting hit

[BretMan]

RKB, I feel your pain!

There probably isn't any point where I would address the coach, but I darn sure will say something to the catcher, along the lines of, "C'mon, Catch, let's see some effort", or, "Catch, you have a glove and I don't- use it!".

I know we are supposed to be rock-steady back there, stay planted and not move around. I don't have any problem doing that with a skilled catcher making an effort. But, if it becomes apparent to me that the catcher doesn't have what it takes to catch the ball, I don't have any problem with adjusting my position or dancing around a bit in the name of self-preservation.

Had one just today- a low-level rec league where it was obvious that the catcher had just about zero experience. After the third time I got nailed by pitches that could have easily been caught or blocked, while dusting off the plate I asked the catcher, "Hey, do you mind if I borrow your mitt?".

Of course, I get a deer in the headlight look. Then I told her, "If you're not going to use it, I will to keep the ball from hitting me".

At least I got some effort from her after that. And, I slid my slot over a little bit to use the catcher as a "human raft" and kept on my toes and danced out of the way of the ones she missed.

Where my mechanics "by-the-book"? No, but I got out of there alive! My game tomorrow will be in a fall league with experienced, travel ball pitchers and catchers and I'll be back in the slot, steady as a rock, doing what I'm supposed to do.