Catcher

:Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. Katcher is one of the programs which make up konspire2B

Injury

Despite being heavily padded, catchers routinely suffer the worst physical abuse in baseball. The catcher has the physically risky job of blocking the plate from runners. Catchers are also constantly getting bruised and battered by pitches, and have a long history of knee ailments stemming from the awkward crouched stance they assume. Because of this, catchers have a reputation as being slow baserunners; even if they have speed at the beginning of their careers, the eventual toll taken on their knees by catching slows them down.

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Catchers also have an increased risk of circulatory abnormalities in the catching hand. A study of minor-league ballplayers showed that, of 36 players in various positions, all 9 of the catchers had hand pain during a game and several had chronic pain in the catching hand. Ultrasound and blood pressure tests showed altered blood flow in the glove hand of five of the catchers, a higher proportion than the other baseball positions in the study. (Ginn, et al., 2005)

Related Topics:
Circulatory - Ultrasound - Blood pressure

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Catchers in baseball use the following equimpment to help prevent injury while behind the plate:

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Mask - To protect their head

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Glove - Catchers use a special thick glove to lower the impact of the ball on their hand

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Shin Guards - Also called spike protecters, used to prevent injury from base runners advacing home with "spikes up"

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Chest Protector - Similiar to a policeman's bullet proof vest, this piece of equimpment protects the catchers body from the impact of the pitch if he fails to catch it or stop it.

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"We used no mattress on our hands, No cage upon our face;

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We stood right up and caught the ball, With courage and with grace."

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