"Almost" Cup Shot

[Mike Prince]

Had a crazy 9U game yesterday. Had just finished an inning with an interference call - wild throw home and the runner who scored on the play collided with the catcher who was getting the loose ball on his way to the dugout.

The scorekeepers had a question as to which runs counted so I got with them real quick to clear it up. On my way back to position, they had one more question so I turned to answer. Unknowingly I had stopped next to the on deck batter just out of his field of vision. So as I turned he started a full swing as the warm-up pitch came in.

Well, he only completed half his swing as he hit me squarely in the upper thigh. If I was six inches closer to him it would have quite the shot to my steel cup.

It did hurt and by time I got home I had a rainbow of colors on my thigh. Felt bad for the kid as it was my fault I was there and he never saw me. Big tears welled up in his eyes and all I could tell him was that I was OK and to please be a bit more careful.

Just when I thought I had been hit in every way imaginable...I'm lucky I didn't have my hand by my side, would have had a serious injury.

[Umpy]

I had a similar thing happen to me last year, but somehow I caught the kid's bat mid swing. No idea how I did it without getting hurt, but it looked pretty bad ass as I was standing there holding the end of his bat telling him to be careful.

[mstaylor]

I have been hit once in the cup by a batter. 9/10 game and my BU didn't cover third as I instructed him in our pregame, coach umpiring. I bust out to cover the play at third and the batter steps back and took a full swing. Bang, right in the cup.

[ukce1861]

I have been hit once in the cup by a batter. 9/10 game and my BU didn't cover third as I instructed him in our pregame, coach umpiring. I bust out to cover the play at third and the batter steps back and took a full swing. Bang, right in the cup.

I'm guessing his teammate coming into third was out?

[yawetag]

I'm guessing his teammate coming into third was out?

With it being a 9/10 game, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a player on the defensive team.

[Hackman61]

9/10 yr old game yesterday. Two pretty good select teams with pitchers throwing hard with good control. Until the one pitch that the catcher couldnt knock down and it went screaming towards my cup. Thank god it whistled by, right under the cup, and right between my legs. Whew. Felt like a torpedo that just went under a ships hull. :eek:

[mjr_2013]

My head just about became a tee when I was just starting out as an "ump" (not sure tee ball really counts as umping)... I was 13, and was leaning down, setting up the tee for the kid to hit off of when he decided to take the hardest practice swing of his life. I felt it "whoosh" by and it must have come within an inch of my temple.

I heard a bunch of parents "ohh" and cringe at how close it was, and the coach immediately grabbed the kids jersey and yanked him back, scolding him to watch where he was swinging.

This is why when I do lower leagues, my eyes will almost always be on the bat when the ball isn't in play... I even make sure to take a far radius around an anxious batter already in the box before me.