Every man knows the feeling.
They’re standing around and minding their own business when a flying projectile strikes them below the belt. It hurts. What makes it worse is that while they’re in pain, everyone else can’t help but laugh.
The most recent victim is Hal Ward, a Wiffle ball umpire in the Potomac Wiffleball League. Unfortunately for the umpires in the “premier Wiffleball league in Washington, D.C.,” they’re not required to wear cups. However, Ward might start thinking about wearing one as he has undoubtedly learned that a wiffle ball can indeed inflict some serious damage.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsH_xKeIw2E%5D
The inflicter of pain in this case was Jim Shannon of the Blandsford Barnburners. As Shannon takes first base, it seems like he has no sympathy for Ward. He shrugs his shoulders in dismay as if he’s upset that the umpire perhaps interfered with an extra-base hit. It isn’t until later he walks to Ward and checks up on him.
The moment also helped bring in a new first for the league.
[tweet https://twitter.com/potomacwiffle/statuses/473164375038382080 align=’center’]
All in all, a historic day for the PWL and maybe even a reason to start discussion about umpire safety in the league.
