Staying in the slot like a champ
 

I had games this weekend where both pitchers loved throwing outside and low. The catchers were mediocre at best, and I narrowly avoided being this guy: Ump hit, stays in game | MLB.com

I honestly can't say I was that rock solid. After a few shots to the forearm and thighs, I was a bit jumpy.

(This is also the first time I've seen a big league catcher wear a helmet with a backwards ball cap underneath. I don't watch that much baseball, so maybe this is the cool thing now. I dunno.)

Having done a lot of HS JV ball and 14/U and under travel ball, plus MS ball I completely understand getting jumpy. It often takes me an inning or two to get comfortable behind the plate depending on the catcher.

I have suffered several nice bruises this season and spent three weeks with my hand in a brace from a foul tipped bunt off the catchers glove right into the side of my hand. Still paying the bills for that one too.

Not for nothing but what does a low and outside pitch have to do with a foul ball straight back to an umpire in the slot?

I believe the inference is that the catcher would be setting up outside to catch the low and outside pitches,
thus leaving an exposed umpire who is properly in the slot.
Just takes one inside fouled off pitch while the catcher is setup outside to make it a painful night for the umpire.

Why, yes, that was what I was inferring. :)

I'm telling you---I never---ever got dinged when I used my outside protector (raft). I do a lot of JV games now and with pitchers that can't pitch and catchers that can't catch, I'm about ready to find one and use it. Snide remarks be damned.

Had this happen to me a couple of weeks ago in a PONY league baseball game. I got hit 6 times and was getting a bit gun shy by the end. I felt like Happy Gilmore standing in front of the pitching machine.

Self-preservation takes precedence over any mechanics you've been taught.

As long as you don't care about ratings. :rolleyes: