STUBBY SAYS: 3 Things to Do with a Contusion

This article is one in a series of Mark "Stubby" Stubblefield's tips for baseball and softball umpires. Mark is the medical coordinator for Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy (MiLBUTA). These tips came from discussions with Mark and his talk "Common Injuries for Umpires" he gives at MiLBUTA.

The only way to prevent injuries in umpiring is to watch at home or from the stands.

Getting in the slot between batter and catcher helps, not over the catcher. This will move you farther out of harm's way.

Making the most of your umpire protective gear by having equipment that fits and you wear correctly helps, too. Still, you will get hit at some point.

Contusions are the most common type of umpire injury. Stubby says there are 3 ways to handle contusions.

1. Most will be minor but watch your bruises closely.
2. Use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
3. Watch for signs of blood clots. Symptoms of blood clots may include swelling, warmth, redness and pain. The main concern is a clot resulting in a loss of blood flow (ischemia). In an arm or leg, you may experience weakness, loss of sensation, paralysis or the limb may appear white.

Mark preaches listening to your body, and if you are concerned about a contusion, consult your medical professional.

We will add, you should cover up your bruise when you next umpire behind-the-plate to prevent further injury.

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