This was sent to me by my son-in-law who works for OSHA. I guess catching qualifies as a hazardous occupation.Enjoy,Later*********************************************************************************MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE CRYING IN BASEBALL In honor of tonight's Major League Baseball All-Star Game, we look at the occupational hazards of baseball's most physically demanding and hazardous position: Catcher. Even if you didn't know a thing about baseball, you could tell that catchers are the ones who face the greatest physical risks by all the PPE they wear. But masks, helmets, shin guards, chest protectors and the padded mitt are still only partial protection. That's why they call the stuff "the tools of ignorance." Don't try this at home -- or behind it. Pounding on the Glove Hand One hazard of the catching profession is the pounding on the glove hand. According to a study from Wake Forest University's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, most pitches are caught in an area of the hand where nerves and blood vessels are located. Although the design of the catcher's mitt has been modified repeatedly over the years, today's mitts are still inadequate to protect against repetitive hand trauma. Even while resting, most of the catchers studied experienced pain, weakness, tingling or numbness in their glove hand. And only the catchers on a baseball team experienced hypertrophy (an increase in finger circumference) -- with increase averaging 5mm, or 1.89 ring sizes. Catch these statistics Pitched balls often travel at speeds exceeding 90mph Catchers receive as many as 300 impacts to the gloved hand per day (150 pitches per game + 150 pitches warming up scheduled and potential pitchers) Catchers play at least 162 scheduled games over a nine-month period. So, mammas and papas, don't let your babies grow up to be catchers. Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons CATCHERS' QUIZContinuing the theme, and at the risk of beating a dead horse -- or horse hide, here's a quiz to test your knowledge of baseball's all-time great catchers. Which catcher is famous for the lines: "It aint over 'til it's over"; "Baseball is 95 percent half-mental"; and "Nobody eats there any more. It's too crowded." Which Boston Red Sox catcher hit a famous home run in the 12 th inning to win Game 6 of the 1975 World Series? Who holds the record for the most games caught (and thus, the greatest hand poundage)? Which catcher has hit the most home runs as a catcher? Name the only catcher to steal home in a World Series game. Hint: He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and is now a nationally known baseball analyst. Which Hall of Fame catcher never played a single game in the Major Leagues? Bonus Question: There are 14 catchers in the Baseball Hall of Fame. How many can you name?