I remember one game, I had a line drive go right at me and I nearly caught it but it went off my forearm. got a little bit of ribbing from the people I knew on the team.
When covering LLBB, I grab a few shots of pitchers warming up by standing back behind the catcher for about 3 pitches in between innings and I have the catcher look me in the eye when I tell him, "listen, I'm just past your left shoulder back here.......anything at all comes this side of the plate, GET IN FRONT OF IT.....high or low GET IN FRONT OF IT." I also never stand back there on the pitcher's first practice pitch. Those can be unpredictable and the 2nd one is normally across the plate....or wait till one actually crosses the plate to get in on the next pitch. Also, when sitting out past 1st base somewhere, I always ask the first base coaches to politely block a foul ball coming my way if it's a screamer. And, yes.....keep both eyes open.
as Mr. Isabella said...meirdo occurs! the PAY ATTENTION advise should be greatly taken to heart! I, for one, shoot w/ both eyes open and one eye on the ball!
Good luck w/ your baseball...as David said...its baseball!
A good possible choice is the Ventilator Rugby Helmet. It would lessen any impact some, but wouldn't be perfect protection. It is very light and can be cleaned and I think it has an anti-microbial lining (otherwise it would start to smell like hockey gloves). I had a lens shade and uv filter broken once - it wakes you up in a hurry!
It would have been out of the question a few years ago, but as I settle into middle age I am no longer hampered by the overwhelming compulsion to look cool
I totally hear you. The biggest downside of this would be if you don't have much hair and wore it regularly, you could have some REALLY ugly tan spots on your mellon. The up side - NO ONE would ever forget you and your company (especially if you have a logo put on it).
Hey Marty, another term, this one referring to the most common form of protection discussed and used by contributors (including myself) to this thread:
line-driveous interruptus
You might be on to something with these helmets...
Ohio state baseball 1984 I had an F3 with a MD4 knocked out of my hands and destroyed from a line drive foul.
I was kneeling on the third base side at the end of the fence a lefty was up all I heard was the crack of the bat and then lens being snap off my camera, I still can hear the sound today. OUCH!
While paying attention is solid advice, I can't tell you how many times I've seen the umpire on the infield (assuming HE'S paying attention) get drilled with a ball. Fielders have gloves...camera guys have their hands full. Not wearing a helmet for me can only be traced to an ego thing. Live to shoot another day...
