Any tips to protect wrists

[Mike Prince]

I use a heel-toe stance and work pretty deep in the slot. Had a hell of a 10U game on Saturday where I took balls off of both thighs, the inside of my right elbow and my left wrist in about an inning. Me and the catcher were not friends back there for awhile

The one on the wrist was not his fault though, it was an inside pitch that was fouled straight back into my wrist. For a minute I thought it might have broken, but it's just bruised nice and deep.

I work with both hands on the top of my shin guards with my fingers on the outsides of my legs to protect them. I have worked this year to get into the slot and not be right behind the catcher - this has helped tremendously with seeing the whole zone but I do tend to take inside misses to the legs which does not bother me. Just wondering if there's anything I could do with my current positioning to lessen the chances of another wrist shot like this one.

[th3]

they sell wristbands that have hard plastic in them...i think i got mine at modells..

[catoblue]

I use Heel-toe too, and call only 10U and 12U games. My lock-in for these little guys has the inside of my elbow (on the batter side) touching my thigh a few inches above the knee and my wrist behind my calf. When I get hit in the arm, it's usually in the meaty part of the forearm or the muscle on the outside of the bend of my elbow - which hurts, but since it isn't hitting bone, nothing has caused anything more than a bruise so far.

My other hand (outside from the batter) is directly behind F2, so I'm comfortable putting it just above my knee, fingers out.

Edited May 24, 2010 by catoblue

[Mike Prince]

Good tip catoblue, I may try that. No way I'm wearing wristbands :)

[Umpire in Chief]

Your wrists are tough to protect with your stance. I use to do heel toe with my hand like your above my shins.

I've recently changed to a stance I feel much better in it is a mish-mash of a few stances but I've gotten praise at camps and from evaluators for my set up.

Assume Right handed batter.

First, I step up into the slot - half a step or more past heel - toe with my left foot.

Next, my right hand is on my right thigh fingers out, elbow tucked.

Then my left forearm rests on my left thigh with the elbow tucked. It can rest anywhere from the top of my shins to my hip depending on how high/low I need to be.

I adjust my height any combo by squatting more/less, and positioning my right foot closer/ deeper to the catcher. This allows me to keep my back straighter vs. leaning in too much.

I really like this stance because it puts me "in" the slot (both horizontally and vertically), I have a great view, I am really locked in AND feel comfortable, I am very stable, and I can do it for 9+ innings without getting sore.

Yes you feel very exposed, but you have to rely on your catcher, your equipment and the fact that you are in one of the safer places to be.

Also by stepping in as far as I do, it sets a barrier for the catcher to not squeeze me. They scoot over and hit my leg and stop. Allowing me to keep my view.

[jjb]

If you wear wristbands, it'll just find someplace else to hit you.

[Stan W.]

If you wear wristbands, it'll just find someplace else to hit you.

If you wear wristbands, and your are not protecting an existing injury, you would find your advancement prospects severely limited...

change your stance...nix the wrist bands...

[yawetag]

Also by stepping in as far as I do, it sets a barrier for the catcher to not squeeze me. They scoot over and hit my leg and stop. Allowing me to keep my view.

Warren, how do you open up on an inside WP?

[Mike Prince]

Took Warren's advice for last night's game, seemed to work OK but I need to get used to it a bit. Thanks!

[Umpire in Chief]

Warren, how do you open up on an inside WP?

I do what I can, and catchers have bumped me, but (assuming a righty at bat) as the catcher moves I'll just step straight back with my left foot to open up.

While I'm in the slot, my left foot is probably at the catchers hip, so he generally has plenty of room.

[Mike Prince]

Warren - did you find this new stance sat you lower than previous? That's really the only thing I noticed last night that I will need to continue to pay attention to. I am tall at 6'4" and resting my elbow on my thigh brought me lower than I have been used to.

But I felt better protected - this new stance really made me concentrate on tucking the elbows which was a more secure feeling and I felt very stable once I got used to being a bit more crouched back there. Actually I tweaked my back a bit before the game and was concerned but was very comfortable for the whole game back there.

[Bull]

I too tried this stance Thursday evening, had a great view of the plate and felt real cormfortable, I too found myself leaning over before and this felt more normal, Should help tomorrow with 3 plate games.

[Balk Hater]

i put my hands behind my back with poor catchers

[Umpire in Chief]

Balk Hater, a lot of guys will look down on you for having your hands behind your back, its one of those thinks that falls under "not generally accepted"

[Mike Prince]

Sorry, couldn't resist...:hopmad: