The five words you never want to hear when working the plate

[Andy]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

How about when they DON'T tell you, and you find out the HARD way

or on Sunday mornings, when they still smell like last night's bar

You must have experience with Men's FP.......

[SWFLguy]

It seems at the lower/younger levels of play that the pitcher is someone who can't throw the ball and the catcher is someone who cannot catch. That combination makes for some pretty long/boring games and dings and bruises for the poor soul who is calling ball and strikes.
Worst case, a left-handed catcher. Makes the most solid plate ump cringe. I make it a habit these days to keep my hands behind my knees. I do not care how it looks, it keeps my arthritic fingers from getting worse.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

It seems at the lower/younger levels of play that the pitcher is someone who can't throw the ball and the catcher is someone who cannot catch. That combination makes for some pretty long/boring games and dings and bruises for the poor soul who is calling ball and strikes.
Worst case, a left-handed catcher. Makes the most solid plate ump cringe. I make it a habit these days to keep my hands behind my knees. I do not care how it looks, it keeps my arthritic fingers from getting worse.

Why would you think that looks bad?

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

It seems at the lower/younger levels of play that the pitcher is someone who can't throw the ball and the catcher is someone who cannot catch. That combination makes for some pretty long/boring games and dings and bruises for the poor soul who is calling ball and strikes.
Worst case, a left-handed catcher. Makes the most solid plate ump cringe. I make it a habit these days to keep my hands behind my knees. I do not care how it looks, it keeps my arthritic fingers from getting worse.

On the other hand, when you have a - what NY calls 'modified' game - middle school level, and half the kids on both sides have bags/helmets, etc from various travel teams they are on, they can be some of the fastest and easiest games you can work,

[qcumpire]

From the defensive coach to the catcher...."(catcher's name)...don't close your eyes."

[tcannizzo]

10-U Rec game tonight. I was BU.

Coach is warming up the pitcher between innings while catcher getting ready.
This pitcher was very good, throwing very hard.
As catcher was relieving the coach, I could swear I heard the coach say these five words "Think you can catch her?"

[chapmaja]

I've never let a pitch hit the umpire.

First pitch behind that catcher was a ball in the dirt that hits the front of the plate and shoots up into my facemask.

She just turned and said, that's the first time.

I just laughed. I've had her three DH's and 4 games behind the plate. For a JV catcher she is actually really solid, and only one other ball hit me. That wasn't her fault. The pitch was 3 feet inside, and over the batters head. It hit the backstop and came back hit me as I was trying to get out of her way.