study reference

[bwchubb]

other than the, official rules of major league baseball, does anyone use, other training aids and have found them useful; such as, the virtual umpire camp cd, jakus/roder manual, 100 problems or any other manual published by jim evans or the wendelstedt's ?

[blue32]

The 2 man mechanics manual by Jim Evans is one of the best training manuals ever produced. I highly recommend it.

His balk video is also very good.

[BT_Blue]

Seeing as how I dont do many OBR games. All my references come from either CCA or NHFS. Also Eofficials (which I should look at again just incase there is something new... you never know).

[mstaylor]

There are many manuals and video sources that can be used to help improve your knowledge. Depending on what levels you work as to where you need to look.

[nolanadair]

The Jim Evans balk video is on of the best Balk videos and has helped me tremendously in realizing what is and what is not a balk.

[BT_Blue]

Just remember. There are balks on there that are or are not balks in other levels. (its been a while since I last saw it so I cant remember).

[zm1283]

Just remember. There are balks on there that are or are not balks in other levels. (its been a while since I last saw it so I cant remember).

I thought someone said on one of these board that Evans covers NCAA and FED balks as well? The balk video is my next umpiring resource that I plan on getting. Probably a Christmas present.

The CCA manual is really good too. I don't know how soon I'll be spending $70 on the Evans 2-man manual, so the CCA will have to do for now.

[BT_Blue]

I thought someone said on one of these board that Evans covers NCAA and FED balks as well? The balk video is my next umpiring resource that I plan on getting. Probably a Christmas present.

The CCA manual is really good too. I don't know how soon I'll be spending $70 on the Evans 2-man manual, so the CCA will have to do for now.

Like I said, I hadnt watched it in a while.

As far as I know, there are minuet(sic?) differences between the two man MLB system and the two man CCA system.

[widac]

I recommend Carl Childress's Baseball Rules Differences.

http://shop.officiating.com/x/product/brd2009

[Kevin Finnerty]

I thought someone said on one of these board that Evans covers NCAA and FED balks as well? The balk video is my next umpiring resource that I plan on getting. Probably a Christmas present.

The CCA manual is really good too. I don't know how soon I'll be spending $70 on the Evans 2-man manual, so the CCA will have to do for now.

Considering the low-cost materials and amateur publication of the Evans manual (paperback binding; cheap stock; cheap printing; no full color or four-color printing; silly cartoon illustrations instead of photos; no final copy editing, etc.), there is absolutely no justification for the $70 price tag. The information is essential, and it is formatted beautifully for easy reference. Even considering the value of the intellectual property, this book is priced at a little over twice what it is worth. By pricing it so high, three things are assured: The information will not reach enough umpires; sales will be a fraction of what they would be if it were sold at a reasonable price; it will be illegally copied and distributed by some purchasers, rather than their buying multiple copies.

Look around you. The way profits are measured and markets are assessed is changing. Evans priced this book like it's still 2003. Umpiring is a self-sacrificing vocation. It seems that an entity like the Evans Academy would understand that and not gouge it's members in this manner.

That said, I took a gulp and bought it, because I have very few vices or expensive hobbies, so I unload a lot on umpire gear and manuals. I will recommend it more highly when it's marked down 50 percent or so.

Edited August 22, 2009 by Kevin Finnerty

[Kevin Finnerty]

I thought someone said on one of these board that Evans covers NCAA and FED balks as well? The balk video is my next umpiring resource that I plan on getting. Probably a Christmas present.

The CCA manual is really good too. I don't know how soon I'll be spending $70 on the Evans 2-man manual, so the CCA will have to do for now.

Considering the low-cost materials and amateur publication of the Evans manual (paperback binding; no full color or four-color printing; silly cartoon illustrations; no photos; no copy editing, etc.), there is absolutely no justification for the $70 price tag. The information is essential, and it is formatted beautifully for easy reference. Even considering the value of the intellectual property, this book is priced at a little over twice what it is worth. By pricing it so high, three things are assured: The information will not reach enough umpires; sales will be a fraction of what they would be if it were sold at a reasonable price; it will be illegally copied and distributed by some purchasers, rather than buying multiple copies.

Look around you. The way profits are measured and markets are assessed is changing. Evans priced this book like it's still 2003. Umpiring is a self-sacrificing vocation. It seems that an entity like the Evans Academy would understand that and not gouge it's members in this manner.

That said, I took a gulp and bought it. And not only is it drastically overpriced, they stuff it into a priority mail sleeve, and when you get the paperback, it's already thrashed. I will recommend it when it's marked down 50 percent or so, and they start shipping it with some measure of care. It is impossible to recommend it when this is the way it is.

[BrianC14]

IMO, there is no better manual for rules interpretations AND rule differences (between OBR, NCAA, NAIA and FED) than the Jaksa/Roder manual.

http://www.rulesofbaseball.com/

[sasmallen]

I'll also vote for Childress' BRD, the information you get for $ is very impressive.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Both of these gentlemen speak the truth.

Now, the Jaksa/Roder Manual is the same bargain-style publication paperback, and it's half the cost of the Evans paperback. That's a good example of what I was talking about. They have it straight. The intellectual property is of premium value, but to warrant a price of $70, you must also have a book made of premium materials.