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Props to the umpires in this video. Each made sure the catcher got time to pull it together before allowing the play to resume. Walking the ball to the pitcher or dusting the plate are done for a reason
You'll notice that when it's the ump getting nailed, the catchers catch them and give them aid too. It's a professional courtesy because we are both in the line of fire (I say that as a catcher growing up and an umpire today.) At this level, it's even worse because of the velo's those pitches are coming in at. When I played, MLB pitchers were fast at 90... today.. 90 is the changup... but even at much slower speeds, when they go off the mask, it will knock you a bit silly. Now we know more of concussions to add credence to that. Not to mention that some of those went off the catcher "junk"... If you're a guy, I don't need to tell you that even at 1mph, that's won't tickle..
As an NCAA ump, your best friends for the day are the catchers. You always slow down for them when they need it. You gotta work with 'em all day. If they're sticking pitches, let 'em know exactly why you think it missed and how close it was. If they give you enough gruff, listen -- they're the only person with a better view than you. And if they get nailed, you give them time. Always.
I was a catcher last two years of high school, cup protected me and twice got hurt like hell plus a broken thumb of my throwing hand at practice getting ready to throw 2nd against base stealer but the foul ballots me.
I remember I used to think that catchers were being dramatic about foul tips hitting them in the mask. But in high school, one day at practice I had to practice catching cause our main catcher was having an oblique issue, and our backup already had a broken thumb and they thought I could pick up on it quickest cause I had the ability to play anywhere on the field and I had worked on catcher in the past, very briefly though. To try and get me some reps before our next game I caught pitches and was back there for live BP. Had the pitching machine throwing the ball at mid to upper 80’s and one of my teammates fouled tipped it and hit me square in the mask, all I did was stay squatted and kinda put my head down and closed my eyes cause I actually got dizzy. Worst part about it is our next 2 games got cancelled cause of rain and our starting catcher was able to play before we played, so that happened for nothing. Never judged a catcher about that afterwards and always think to myself “welp he needs a couple seconds” when one gets hit by a foul tip
Same here, last game I played as catcher, it was a pick up game and I didn’t have my shinguards and took wild pitch off my shin. Every time I bump that spot now and its been a couple of weeks , a shooting pain that makes me grit my teeth and groan
When I played ,at tryouts, everybody was either a pitcher ,or first baseman,my dad told me to lose the first Batemans mitt ,and get a catchers mitt !!! ,I was the first name called as starting catcher !!!! ,Greatest day of my life !!!!!!
When Buster retired, he said he wanted to be healthy for his family and spend more time with his kids. What a warrior and champion that dude is. First ballot all the way.
At aged 11, my catcher Teddy asked me to NOT do the cup check. Coach wanted the pitcher to give a rap to the catcher before each game. Teddy forgot his. Anyway, later in the game, foul ball below his glove, and BOOM! I had the best shot in the house. He crawled all the way to the dugout, and threw up! It was AWESOME!
Buster Posey and Kurt Suzuki were two of the toughest catchers I have ever seen! Posey should easily make the HOF! Suzuki no chance but always fun to watch! This is why catchers finish their careers as first basemen!
My son caught for ten years before switching to pitcher in college. He had four surgeries for various broken bones and injuries. You have to have a different mentality to be a catcher.
I've had a few fouled off my mask when I played ball. Best way I can describe it is that you get staggered. Ears may ring, your vision may flash at impact, and you kinda lose sense of your surroundings for a second (which is why you see most of these guys sorta go limp like they're knocked out, but then get back to it like nothing happened after a few seconds). Those helmets do a great job at taking shots. Sure, may get a bruise or two, but usually not an injury that forces you out of a game. All I can say is that it is a good thing that catcher's gear exists.
I remember a young man that played LL with my youngest son…he was the catcher AND also a hockey goalie…I teased him for not being wrapped too tight since he had balls thrown at him and pucks shot at him on purpose…
Played catcher in highschool, foul tips off mask or chest protector hurt like hell, back swings to back of glove or another backswing I took to the elbow of glove hand hurt a whole lot more
If the catchers helmets are like cricket helmets than one thing that probably isnt obvious is the noise when a ball hits it , i played for many many years and i can assure you that the noise is very loud when you do get hit , BUT my fellow team mates would think it was funny to tap the helmet with a ball , thats loud enough lol
Except for my first year of LL I spent every year of my baseball career thru HS as a catcher. I never received a nut sot or a bell ringer to the mask. Afterwards, I had a 3,000 game career as an umpire and spent 40% of those games behind the plate. No nut shots, one broken bone, one severely bruised abdomen, and one incident where a cross up between a pitcher and a catcher resulted in a fastball taking my add on throat guard off my mask and planting it against my throat. if not tor the add on my throat is crushed and I choke to death The only thing all that protection is meant to do is to minimize injury, not prevent it.
Just a couple days ago Logan O'Hoppe had to be removed, and then missed the next game after DBacks hitter Randall Grichuk fouled one so hard off his groin it moved his cup almost 5"
0:36 that was the start of the Giants Catcher woes that weekend. Think they ended up with 3 or 4 of them that series. 2:01 no its not because it hit equipment. There's actually a rule that if you field it with your mask its considered a Balk, or something equivilant that lets the runners move up something about an Equipment violation
Man, that was brutal! Came to this video to reminisce a lil bit on the career of Buster Posey? Lifelong Giants-fan here, but also a HUGE fan of da Dodgers, & yes! I can love BOTH teams if I want to. Started following Buster way back when He played at Florida State, when one of His team mates just happened to be a former lil 3rd-grader of mine (I be a retired career elementary-ed/early childhood Teacher) who was also a starter + very talented young man. Watched one FLA-State game when they (Seminoles were way, WAY ahead of their opponent) took Buster from behind home-plate and put Him at 3rd, then 1st, and finally let Him pitch! Yes, this is a true event, & can be verified! Sure miss seeing Buster play, but then again, He certainly is entitled to retire just like the rest of us, and I hope He continues in good health!
I remember the chest protection going all the way down to the crotch. Since when did that piece get removed? If it got removed, seems like they would start wearing cups.
Maybe go in the locker room and check out their protection. They do wear cups and padding underneath. By the way how hard the ball comes in no amount of protection is going to help.
@@kbs8597No flexible protection, anyway. And a rigid guard would impair movement. If a guy wants to have a big crop of kids, he better not play catcher.
