Hi all, just looking for a little advice/direction while hopefully avoiding yet another trip to the doc...

Recently I have been periodically catching for a minor league pitcher while he is home during the off-season. Even though I use a catchers mitt, my hand takes quite a beating as this kid throws upwards of 95-96 mph. During our last session the movement on his pitches caused me miss the web on a few and I caught them in the heel and palm area. It's been ten days now and the area at the base of my index finger, palm side, (directly underneath where you develop callouses from weight lifting) is rather sensitive to any pressure applied directly into the palm. The only limitations this is causing me occurs when trying to tightly grip something, say while gripping a pull up bar.

There was no awkward bending of fingers, just the impact of the ball with very little padding in that particular spot. Any ideas? Deep bruise, bone bruise, possible fracture? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the pain will subside on its own, but I was hoping it would already have diminished.

Thanks for any insight!