I should have said no!

[mjr_2013]

I'm a busy guy (that is a lie)... But today I was actually doing something. It was 2:15, and I was on my way to BoRics to get a haircut, and I was then going to go to a friends house to work on a project. I get a phone call from my UIC...

UIC: "Matt! Can you be the plate ump at (park) on a LL Minors game like... now?"

Me: "Umm.... I guess so." (I'll regret these words later)

UIC: "Great! I owe you one Matt! The game was supposed to start at 2, so I'll call the coach and let him know you're on your way! Thank you!

Me: "Sure."

My thoughts: "Why did I agree to this? It is 90 freakin degrees outside!"

I get to the park at 2:35 and they just finished up the TOP of the first with some parent as an ump. I didn't hear any complaints about the inning so I allowed it to count.

The game (plus me) starts fine. My partner showed up at about 2:50 or so, and the game was going fine... Then we start the real show.

Pitch comes in, no one touches it, off my right hand... I'm shaking it, the coaches and parents are giving the usual "ooh"'s and "ahh"'s... DM tells his catcher "Go give the ball to (the pitcher). Give him some time."

I gather myself, put the ball back into play, next pitch is thrown, no one touches it, goes off my left hand.

More "ooh"'s and "ah"'s... Coach goes "Jason! You HAVE to catch those!!"

To go into the story each time would take too much bandwith, so I'll just give a final tally... These are only the ones that hurt, there were others that went off equipment I didn't feel...

3 to my inner left theigh (same freaking spot everytime!!)

2 to my cup (which I was lucky to even have on, given how little prior notice I had)

2 to my gut

1 to my right hand

1 to my left hand

1 to my knee

1 to my mask

Entering the bottom of the last inning, a catcher came out to take prep pitches, and his glove never moved for three pitches he took. Over his head, over his head, under his arm... I started wincing just imagining what was coming, and the manager turned to his assistant, and told him.

"Mark, this isn't going to work... " They switched out catchers, and the manager came over to me and said "You are taking too much abuse already, I'm not going to put a first time catcher out there on you."

By the end of the game, both coaches said good game, and told me to go get an ice bath... My partner (who I go to school with) was cracking up... I told him his time was coming and that I was going to laugh sooo hard when it did.

--Good note--

As my partner and I left the field, a kid on the losing team told me that I was the best ump they had had all year long. I don't take much from what kids say, but it's still nice to hear... Postgame, my UIC called and said that both coaches called him after the game and gave me kudos for how I called the game. :D

[Umpy]

Hands behind the knees and tuck the elbows for anyone under 10 I say.

This doesn't help much for the thighs, gut, or mask of course...

[mjr_2013]

Hands behind the knees and tuck the elbows for anyone under 10 I say.

This doesn't help much for the thighs, gut, or mask of course...

Same thing my partner was saying. I just hate doing it because I feel like (even if it actually is miniscule) it exposes my shoulders and upper bicep too much, and that a direct shot to there is more painfu than a direct shot than the hands does... Plus I think that putting the hands behind the back or theigh looks bad.

[T-Rav]

I know how you feel brother, I've been stuck doing 9u games for the last couple weeks regularly and have been hit 14 times last Saturday during 4 games. I wish they would hit me in my new all star but they just get me all over, in my opinion the worst shot I took was a uncaught fastball to the cup- it hurt!!!

Stay the hell away from anything bellow 12u!

[Typhoon]

Matt: The only advice I have to offer is go to the balloon protector. LOL I think I still have one in the basement somewhere.

[AJtheUMP]

Hey, at least the coaches had a clue! Where I call they probably wouldn't have noticed. And as far as telling the catcher to give you some time..... ha! Matter of fact I took an uncaught one off my left hand the other night (didn't hurt too bad as my hands were on the side of my knee and just got knocked down). It was a RH batter and my nose was on the inside corner and the coach was griping and wanting a strike!?!

[3rdGENump]

I hate watching warm up pitches and seeing the catch not making any effort to catch the ball. From that point on I know it is going to be bad news for me!!!

[umpcoachfather]

1st rule in the Military - Never volunteer. May apply here.

[mjr_2013]

Matt: The only advice I have to offer is go to the balloon protector. LOL I think I still have one in the basement somewhere.

haha! That is what a different ump I work with told me! He was actually serious too!

[mjr_2013]

Here is my thigh and hand 24 hours after... The quarter is for size comparison. If you look closely, you can see a second smaller bruise that I didn't even notice until today closer to my knee.... It is tough to see the bruise on my hand with the lighting, but you can see the scratch the ball left.

--EDIT--

Hand picture won't upload (file is too big), but the thigh is worse anyway.