Umpire Guidelines for Covid Softball

More of there body is exposed.

Can understand what you mean about a cone refferencing an area.
But the safest place is directly behind catcher. As they are part of the umpires protection. Narrowest part of the cone.

Moving farther away puts the umpire in the wider range for getting hit.
Larger part of the cone.

Also the umpire (for a better view) may have to adjust where they stand slightly to inside or outside for batters.
From their 'slot'...which is looking over left or right shoulder of catcher.
Which may/will
(for a better view) move them slightly farther away left/right from the protection of the catcher.
Into foul ball zone.

If most/all foul balls flying backwards were stopped by the catcher getting hit would not be concerning. Also the catcher is sitting much lower than the Ump
Many of those foul balls shear straight back.

This picture shows what i am reffering to. Umpire Body Exposed farther out of slot.



Simply sharing while it may be risk mitigating on one hand its putting risk in the other hand...the umpires.

flash277 said:

I'm more worried about getting beat up on foul balls. I'll still give it a go see how it works.

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WHY? We never get hit all the time back there. It’s every once in a great while. So you’ll do 3-4 games back there from 6’ behind the catcher (because some nitwit who WON’T have to be there thinks it’s a good idea), you’ll think “this isn’t that bad”, and then take a shot some day that will hurt for a good while, even if no real damage is done.

Best of luck to you. I don’t do HS ball, and still do 150+ games a year. And while I’ll miss getting back behind the plate, I think I’ll wait it out until they reconsider such a stupid idea. (Probably after someone really gets hurt, God forbid)

I like umpiring, that's why. Someone has got to do it. Although I rather wear a mask and take the regular setup....Although it is optional to wear a mask on the field, that is not a option. But if umpires are getting banged up in this position, I can see mandatory wear a mask-regular setup coming.

flash277 said:

I like umpiring, that's why. Someone has got to do it. Although I rather wear a mask and take the regular setup....Although it is optional to wear a mask on the field, that is not a option. But if umpires are getting banged up in this position, I can see mandatory wear a mask-regular setup coming.

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I still don't get it. What balls are you for apt to get hit by versus being right behind the catcher? Assuming RH batter -If you're right behind the catcher and she misses a foul tip and it goes above her right shoulder, you're not getting hit, nor are you getting hit if you're 6 foot behind her. If it goes over her left shoulder you're getting hit if you're right behind her and if it is angled enough you may not get hit at all if you're 6 foot behind her.

flash277 said:

I like umpiring, that's why. Someone has got to do it. Although I rather wear a mask and take the regular setup....Although it is optional to wear a mask on the field, that is not a option. But if umpires are getting banged up in this position, I can see mandatory wear a mask-regular setup coming.

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flash277 , testandor , themaninblue & all Umpires...
Gotta do whats best for you!!

Completely off topic, kinda,

Can remember catching for Michelle Granger.
Throwing 72 mph from 40'
Newspapers were doing an article and people had speed guns timing her from the side.
I said
"Hey you can get behind me and get a good view!"
No one wanted to...

texasheat said:

I still don't get it. What balls are you for apt to get hit by versus being right behind the catcher? Assuming RH batter -If you're right behind the catcher and she misses a foul tip and it goes above her right shoulder, you're not getting hit, nor are you getting hit if you're 6 foot behind her. If it goes over her left shoulder you're getting hit if you're right behind her and if it is angled enough you may not get hit at all if you're 6 foot behind her.

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Like I said, I'll give it a try, but if I feel (really feel!) that I'm getting pummeled, I won't do it anymore. I can take a bit of a beating, I'm young for an umpire.....52!

Maybe we will need to dig out a few of the old school outside chest protectors. Those things were a thick shield.

texasheat said:

I still don't get it. What balls are you for apt to get hit by versus being right behind the catcher? Assuming RH batter -If you're right behind the catcher and she misses a foul tip and it goes above her right shoulder, you're not getting hit, nor are you getting hit if you're 6 foot behind her. If it goes over her left shoulder you're getting hit if you're right behind her and if it is angled enough you may not get hit at all if you're 6 foot behind her.

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It seems RAD answered your question perfectly. There is less protection because the umpire is not being partially shielded by the catchers body. I see a lot of umps that get right behind the catcher with just their face exposed over their shoulder. Kinda like hiding from bullets..... it’s better right behind your “shield”