This can't be right .....

[Thunderheads]

I doubt VERY HIGHLY that this is supposed to happen ....

Bard has on a Shock FX, ...Bill Welke is rocking an All-Star MVP 4000....

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110903&content_id=24155054&notebook_id=24174704&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea

[JaxRolo]

Wow! Did you see the way his head snapped back when he got hit?

[NC Umpire]

WOW!! I've never seen that happen before!!

[NWA_UMP]

That is a wake up call for sure! I'll bet he is sore after that blow...

[sdix00]

Wilson owes it's customers a response on this.

Not acceptable.

I get that it's a one-in-a-million shot. More 12-6 spin than could ever be simulated during testing.

That ball should have skipped off and not transferred all that force in to the mask and caused F2's head to snap back like that.

I wonder how the cheaper "Silver Series" kids version of this helmet would have handled something like this. Yes I know we would be talking 80mph instead of 95mph, but I am guessing the spin is what allowed the ball to enter the cage.

[Thunderheads]

All I know is this ...............

I'm glad I can watch All-Star fire baseballs at 90+ at their equipment!! You don't see that very often!

http://www.youtube.com/user/AllStarSportsVids#p/u/8/goijPy1lo7Q

[mazzamouth]

what is the ruling if there is a runner or Runner's on base and this happens?

[Thunderheads]

what is the ruling if there is a runner or Runner's on base and this happens?

Wouldn't it be the same as if the ball got caught in the catchers jersey? Doesn't everyone move up one, time of pitch?

[Fittske24]

Since the ball came off the bat it should be ruled a foul ball. If it was a pitched ball that gets lodged in catcher equipment or uniform then runners advance one base. 5.09(g)

[ukce1861]

Since the ball came off the bat it should be ruled a foul ball. If it was a pitched ball that gets lodged in catcher equipment or uniform then runners advance one base. 5.09(g)

Just to clarify, if this is strike 3 (not a foul ball), the batter would also be awarded 1st base, correct?

[Fittske24]

Since the ball came off the bat it should be ruled a foul ball. If it was a pitched ball that gets lodged in catcher equipment or uniform then runners advance one base. 5.09(g)

Just to clarify, if this is strike 3 (not a foul ball), the batter would also be awarded 1st base, correct?

Yes per 5.09(g) on a pitched ball that becomes lodged on a third strike the BR and all other runners advance one base.

[Umpire in Chief]

Well I looked at the video a few times. While the blow certainly looked bad, I think it looked worse because the HSM slides up on his head quite a bit too.

[kylejt]

The announcer says it was a foul tip, so this is considered a caught ball.

[UmpJeff]

what is the ruling if there is a runner or Runner's on base and this happens?

Foul ball. Runners return to their bases at the TOP.

[UmpJeff]

The announcer says it was a foul tip, so this is considered a caught ball.

The announcer's Rule Book, commonly referred to as ABC (Announcer's Baseball Comedy), doesn't require that the ball go directly from the bat to the mitt of the Catcher. Directly from the bat to the mask is perfectly acceptable for the announcer to call a Foul Tip.

[UmpJM]

I'm with UmpJeff.

Nothing but an uncaught foul ball.

Count goes from 0-0 to 0-1, R1 remains at 1B.

JM

[Mr Umpire]

I wonder if the bars moved at all. If they did or there was a chance they did, I think I would get a new mask out there. Too risky for me to chance the integrity after that.

[sdix00]

OK - How about this one from from last night?????

"SPARKS!!"

I can only guess that maybe there was a static charge built up in the mask. Possibly the mask rubbing on the acrylic/plastic shield or the pads or something?

___

Not to pick nits, but it appears Mike Everitt's eyes are closed.

[Umpy]

Eyes closed must be one of those advanced mechanics you can get away with in the Majors.

[Guest]

You're showing 6 or 7 frames of a sequence that lasts 0.1 of a second, at most.

Note the lack of tension around his eyes - his eyes aren't closed, he's blinking.

The average time of a human blink falls in at about 0.4 seconds.

If you've never blinked on a pitch where F2 is set up outside and has to reach back inside after you've held your ground in the slot, good for you. If you've never blinked in this situation where the batter also swings at the pitch, you're a liar.

And I'm applying those situations to local games. Which has absolutely no comparison to MLB pitching.

So he blinked...big deal.

[sdix00]

Yes. Probably a blink.

I will revise my nit.

It appears even Mike Everitt blinks.

[Thunderheads]

Yes. Probably a blink.

I will revise my nit.

It appears even Mike Everitt blinks.

everyone blinks.............