How do you read the rule book?

[Kyle_Stevens]

I have found the best way to learn the rules is during games. I have made ruling that were incorrect on the field and once the game is over, I get back to the dressing room (or my truck) and look up the rule; however, these are the one that stick with me. On the other hand I have made rulings I know are right and a coach will question and make me doubt myself, get back and look it up and reaffirm myself.

I have been making it a point to read my rule book for refresher. To me, there are three 'levels' of the rule book. 1)Reading the rule book 2) UNDERSTANDING the rule book and 3)Being able to apply the rules from the rule book.

2 & 3 is where the bread and butter of being a good umpire is. I have to read and then re-read certain rules to try to get a good understanding of what I have read, then I will follow that up with the case book. I do know that experience is key to gaining a good knowledge of the rules.

So, how do you all read the rule book? How often do you read the rule book?

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

When I first started, I literally read the rule book from cover to cover. It took a good amount of time because I kept falling asleep:( (It is a great cure for insomnia!!), and I had to keep looking up the definitions of words I wasn't sure of.

I then got the best advice on how to read the book: START with rule 2.00 Definition of Terms. Don't go on until you know that rule well, THEN read the rest of the book.

Then, do a lot of game and learn how to apply those newly learned rules. Reread rules covering calls that were missed, (by you OR your partner), or rulings that you have questions about.

Every year, I reread the rule book over AFTER I make sure I read the rule changes for the upcoming year.

Bigdog:cool:

[LMSANS]

I keep a rule book and the BRD in the throne room after my initial read through. Like Kyle, I keep the book for whichever level I'm working in the car and after the game refer to it with anything I called even if I have any doubts. I also look things up when I see a comment or question at this or any other forum.

I'm not at the point where I can quote rules by number, mainly because I work from 6 different rule books and they're different enough to keep you wary.

[Umpire in Chief]

Kyle I think your method will work well. YOu probably ar familiar with 80% of the things already. When you're on the field make the call as you see it and believe the rule to be then look it up to either re-affirm your initial call or learn a lesson you will never forget.

When I get to thinking about a rule I read the entire rule for that section again and it gives me a bit of a refresher. For FED i think reading the case book is just as valuable as reading the rules. There can be applications or interpretations of the rules they don't spell out in the book.

I would also recommend getting the J/R manual. This is the holy grail of rules interpretations. I don't own one myself, but have borrowed it more than a few times from a friend and the info is great and easier to read than the book.

[BrianC14]

Kyle I think your method will work well. YOu probably ar familiar with 80% of the things already. When you're on the field make the call as you see it and believe the rule to be then look it up to either re-affirm your initial call or learn a lesson you will never forget.

When I get to thinking about a rule I read the entire rule for that section again and it gives me a bit of a refresher. For FED i think reading the case book is just as valuable as reading the rules. There can be applications or interpretations of the rules they don't spell out in the book.

I would also recommend getting the J/R manual. This is the holy grail of rules interpretations. I don't own one myself, but have borrowed it more than a few times from a friend and the info is great and easier to read than the book.

Can you tell me where a J/R manual can be obtained? (Or at least it's official title)?

Thanks.

[Umpire in Chief]

Can you tell me where a J/R manual can be obtained? (Or at least it's official title)?

Thanks.

The official title is: The Rules of Professional Baseball:

A Comprehensive Reorganization and Clarification

by Jaksa and Roder

You can get it at www.rulesofbaseball.com

[strike3scott]

I agree with UIC. The HS Casebook is an invaluable tool. Fed has now produced 2 new rules companion books. The first is the Illustrated book and the other is the Rules by Topic. We have a new guy in our Association that ordered these and it helped him alot.

[BrianC14]

Thanks Chief.

[Umpire in Chief]

Guy's whats wrong with you I've been waiting to see who would be the first to post "front to back" or "left to right" and there have been no takers.

But there have been some good posts.

[Umpire in Chief]

Like I said I don't own one but have borroewd it a few times. I'll be putting this on my Wish list from Mrs. Claus. Mrs Claus was very good last year and got me my new mask.

[Kyle_Stevens]

Guy's whats wrong with you I've been waiting to see who would be the first to post "front to back" or "left to right" and there have been no takers.

But there have been some good posts.

I honestly didn't think about that response, guess I was asking for it. It really would have been funny! The case book, to me, illustrates scenarios better than I picture them while reading the rule book.

[Umpire in Chief]

Also sometimes I get out my dry erase board and draw it out to help me picture the cases.

[PeteBooth]

I have found the best way to learn the rules is during games. I have made ruling that were incorrect on the field and once the game is over, I get back to the dressing room (or my truck) and look up the rule; however, these are the one that stick with me. On the other hand I have made rulings I know are right and a coach will question and make me doubt myself, get back and look it up and reaffirm myself.

I have been making it a point to read my rule book for refresher. To me, there are three 'levels' of the rule book. 1)Reading the rule book 2) UNDERSTANDING the rule book and 3)Being able to apply the rules from the rule book.

2 & 3 is where the bread and butter of being a good umpire is. I have to read and then re-read certain rules to try to get a good understanding of what I have read, then I will follow that up with the case book. I do know that experience is key to gaining a good knowledge of the rules.

So, how do you all read the rule book? How often do you read the rule book?

IMO, it's best NOT to read the OBR rule-book. It is indexed very poorly and you will fall asleep. It's best to get supplimental materials such as JR, the BRD (Carl Childress's Baseball rule differences) These materials are indexed properly and have case plays which make it easier for the reader to not only learn the rule but also undertsand it's implications.

Here is what I am talking about concerning the OBR rule book.

Simple example and let's assume you are new and reading the rules for the first time.

A pitched ball hits the batter. What happens?

ok you go look up rule 6 and it says that the batter is entitiled to first base - Ok but what about the status of the ball? Is it dead, Live, delayed dead etc.

You now have to go to ANOTHER rule code to find the answer. It is rule code 5 where it says that the ball is immediately dead when a pitched ball strikes the batter.

In other instances you might have to cross reference 3 or more rule codes. That's why the JR manual is a good tool because it does this "cross referencing" for you so you can find the answer in one section.

FED / NCAA have their own books / case book analysis. In learning FED / NCAA rules I would have the case book handy as that explains the rules.

NOTE: If you are calling ball using more than one rule code my suggestion would be to learn say FED rules SEPARATELY meaning do not try and contrast the differences. When doing FED as they say in Brooklyn ' Forget about OBR and vice cersa.

Pete Booth

[mstaylor]

The best way to learn rules is as Pete says, learn one set well before branching out to other levels. First figure what rule set you call most and learn it. Then you can learn others. The problem is 90% of youth baseball is some form of OBR and it is the hardest to learn. Luckily there are many supplemental interp books out. As noted above there is the J/R and BRD, but there is the RIM for LL, if you can find them, JEA and MLBUM. Also, Referee has many books that can help, as well as videos to explain balks and other rules.

[catoblue]

OK UIC... Just to be specific, starting at the top left corner of the first page, read each line left-to-right, progressing one line at a time from top to bottom. Repeat for each additional page, in order from front-to-back until all pages have been read. :smachhead:

[AllanA]

I have been accused of reading it in BRAILLE!

Guys I apologize I just couldn't resist.

[jjb]

Just got my copies of the Fed Rules Simpified and Illustrated, Fed Rules by Topic, and the 2-3 man Umpires Mechanics Guidebook. (Got 'em from NASO). They seem like easy-to-read, simplifed rules manuals. Since the Mechanics Book is put out by the same people that brought you Referee Magazine, I'll be keeping a close eye on it for accuracy.

[BlueInVA]

Guy's whats wrong with you I've been waiting to see who would be the first to post "front to back" or "left to right" and there have been no takers.

But there have been some good posts.

Let me help you out. I read it with my eyes.:clap:

[okump96]

Hey all,

When I first started, I literally read the rule book from cover to cover. It took a good amount of time because I kept falling asleep:( (It is a great cure for insomnia!!),

when my daughter was a baby i would read it to her as a bedtime story. believe it or not i was able to pick up on a few things i didn't already know.

[mario]

My suggestion to really know rules is to study the Jaska Roeder.

Save money, no movie and restourant, but buy it.

In very few occasions their interpretation admits other possibilities, but no one can says they're wrong.

I bought it, and I did more.

I copied it at 50% size, and I bring it in my bag. Really.

Never happened, but in case, I'd prefer to have a gave at it, instead of risking having a game protested 'cause I'm not able to find a rule out browsering the OBR.