Getting hit

RKBUmp · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 09:33am

So at what point do you say something to the coach or do you just continue to quietly take getting pummeled?

Im black and blue all over this morning after a rec league game last night. First game went well, they actually got all 7 innings done in an hour fifteen. Second game no luck. The pitcher/catcher combo just wasnt getting it done. Fairly fast pitcher for rec, probably throwing mid 50's. 2nd pitch of game pitcher misses inside to a lefty, catcher never puts a glove on it and pitch gets me just above the elbow dead square. About 4 walks later because pitcher cant get within a foot of the strike zone, she misses low, catcher never touches it, I think ball went through her legs, ricocheted off something and caught me square high on the inside of my thigh. Few batters later she misses inside again, so does catcher and gets me in the shin guard. Glad it was on because it hurt even through the guard.

Anyway, got drilled 3 times hard in the top half of the 1st, and by the end of the game had gotten hit probably 6 or 7 times. Doesnt make you real confident of standing still behind the plate wondering when the next pitch is going to hit something vital.

BretMan · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 02:54pm

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.

MNBlue · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 04:29pm

A good friend of mine, Phil De La Rosa, told this tale (?).

"I was working a 10U game and the young lady catching was missing 2 out of every three pitches. After getting hit for the fourth or fifth time, I turned to the coach and told him that if the catcher wasn't going to do a better job she would have to be replaced. The young catcher, obviously wiser beyond her years, turned around and said, 'Sir, you chose this profession. Now stand back there and take it like a man.' I couldn't call pitches for 10 minutes because I was crying from laughing so hard."

Nobody said our job was going to be easy.

Steve M · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 06:16pm

In rec ball, I don't know that you can legitimately say anything - the players are there for recreational purposes, not because they are good.

I had a plate game - in a showcase 2 seasons ago - and was hit several times by pitches the catcher never touched. After the 4th hit, I went to her coach and said something to the effect of "If I get hit by another pitch that your catcher does not touch, I'm ejecting her for intentionally letting me be hit." The coach objected, saying I could not do that. I replied that I'd consider it unsportsmanlike and most certainly would eject. Now, even though this F2 was recreational, at best, and did not belong in a showcase - she did considerably better the rest of the game.

RKBUmp · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 06:39pm

In some ways I felt sorry for the girl because she obviously did not know what she was doing, but I was also getting pretty ticked because I kept getting beaned. It would have been one thing if it had been spread out over the game, but most of the hits happened in the top half of the 1st inning. Fortunately they pulled her before the start of the 2nd.

I overheard one myself that I still laugh about. Was waiting for my daughters game to start and there was a USSSA 12U game going on. Saw the plate ump get hit several times in the few minutes I was there. Between innings he walked over to the catchers coach and said, "would you please explain to your catcher that I am not her personal backstop." Coach had a little talk with the catcher and she tried a bit harder after that.

whiskers_ump · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 07:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBlue

A good friend of mine, Phil De La Rosa, told this tale (?).

"I was working a 10U game and the young lady catching was missing 2 out of every three pitches. After getting hit for the fourth or fifth time, I turned to the coach and told him that if the catcher wasn't going to do a better job she would have to be replaced. The young catcher, obviously wiser beyond her years, turned around and said, 'Sir, you chose this profession. Now stand back there and take it like a man.' I couldn't call pitches for 10 minutes because I was crying from laughing so hard."

Nobody said our job was going to be easy.

Glad I was not the only one that has heard that story. I told it on here
several years ago. Phil has some real tales, and most true. Always an
enjoyment to work with Phil. Worked a college exposure last year with
him in Beaumont, Tx.

tcblue13 · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 08:46pm

In 10U and 12U, I expect to get hit a few times.
Wait till you get a JV F2 who can't catch a walkball pitcher. That's where I took my first cupshot. By the end of the game, I was dancing on almost every pitch because I was getting hit about twice an inning. The mask, both shin guards, the left plate shoe, and the cup all earned their keep as well that night. I never got it on the chest protector.

outathm · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 04, 2008, 11:25pm

My favorite legend line from a veteran to a catcher was the following "If you hold my indicator I'll use your Mitt." I have never had the guits to say it, but I sure do think it from time to time.

PtotheB · #9 (**permalink**) Sun Oct 05, 2008, 07:16pm

After two or so I'll glare at the DC after each one.
I once asked an F2, "What's that thing on your left hand?"
After a short pause she replied, "It's my mitt blue"
I said, "Either you use it or I'm going to hide behind you like a backpack and this inning will be so long you'll miss your graduation." (14U game)
It didn't do any good, I got hit five more times and my partner thought it was hilarious.

Andy · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Oct 07, 2008, 10:32am

True story...

One of my buddies was working a rec level game, 12u, good pitcher, bad catcher. He got nailed pretty good about three times, went to the DC and said something. DC said, I'm sorry Blue, but both of my regular catchers are not here tonight and she is the only one who volunteered to catch.

My buddy then asks the coach to toss him a spare mitt.

He put the mitt on, went back behind the plate and called the rest of the game. He just caught and dropped the ball each time.

The other coach started to say something, but my friend told him it was either this or he called balls and strikes from behind the pitcher.