Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings has concerns about coronavirus risks behind the plate Posted Jul 6, 2020 As the catcher, Jacob Stallings will be in close quarters with the umpire standing over his shoulder and every hitter who enters the batter’s box, in addition to his own Pittsburgh Pirates teammates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Good thing he is used to wearing a mask. The impossibility of social distancing while crouching behind the plate isn’t lost on Stallings. (TribLive.com)