Jim Evans Annotated Rules

[conbo61]

Does anyone know if this manual is available? I have been scouring the "internets" with no luck.

Would Jim Evans consider making this available?

[Kevin Finnerty]

With all due respect to Evans for his vast knowledge of the craft and his high achievement in the instructional realm: I have never seen such raving about a book that is unavailable as I have about this one. It's ridiculous.

And as wonderful as most of the information is in his Maximizing the Two-Man System manual, it is a glaringly unprofessional publication. This book of his is fraught with amateurish mistakes and common style and punctuation sins (there are even mistakes on the cover!). It is cheaply printed and embarrassingly illustrated. Despite all that, he puts a price tag on it that would be reflective of a professionally written, edited, illustrated and printed text book.

So, if this much ballyhooed rule book of his is ever finished, I will be just as anxious to see if it's professionally done as I will be to see its typically inflated price tag.

Jim Evans is a teaching professional, whose respectability as a premier umpiring instructor is virtually matchless. He would do well to have a writer, an editor, an illustrator and a publisher. It would make his books respectable for more than just the information.

[Majordave]

The "old" JEA is obviously out of print. I traded another member from here an autographed MLB Umpire hat I won at a raffle for his copy. It is a great read. Lots of rules history. In law school the professors were focused on teaching us how to look for the reasons for the rule/law. The JEA definitely helps in this regard. At least for me, anyway, as I was one of those "Why?" kids who was always in trouble for asking my parents and teachers and coaches why we had to do something or why they had a particular rule. To each his own is one of my new mantras as I have learned that everyone is motivated differently.

I recently had the opportunity to sit and chat with Jim Evans himself at the Topeka Premier Umpire Camp. I asked Jim when, or if, he was going to update and republish the JEA? He indicated it was in the works. I had heard this before from the forums but decided to ask him personally when the subject of his book(s) came up. The publication date is not yet determined but soon he said.

Jim also told several of us publicly that he is working on development/design and will be co-marketing a new chest protector that will be revolutionary in his opinion. He told me a bit more about the design and materials one-on-one but asked me to keep it in confidence. I told him to give me a dollar for a retainer then I was his lawyer and could never tell anyone without his permission. He didn't hesitate for a second, reached in his pocket, gave me a dollar, then told me the details. I can't wait to see it.

So. At least two new things on the horizon for us umpire equipment and book junkies. That's all I know or can tell so don't ask me anything else. Just keep your eyes open and watch the forums. Jim is a great promoter so I know he will make it known to us when he is ready.

If you haven't experienced a Jim Evans clinic or his instruction, I highly recommend it. Meeting and getting to know Jim and hearing his instruction was definitely one of the highlights of my umpiring career to date.

My two cents. Your mileage may vary.

Dave Teater

KC MO

[kcfan102]

When I went to his 5 week course he said the annotated rule book was pretty much done.

That problem, that he said was the length. I too look forward to this book.

And I have to say, the Maximizing book is the only true textbook for umpiring mechanics. He refered to this book every day during classroom lecture. Well, he didn't, mostly Dick Nelson took over the mechanics portion of the lecture.

This is what they teach at the Evans school. And just like Mr. Teater (my neighbor, and for some reason I have not met in person yet???) I recommend any form of JETS to anyone. I value my 5 weeks of school with that man and his instructors more than most things in my life.

And Kevin, I respect your opinion a great deal, I really do. I don't feel that the illustrations in this book are "embarrassing". I would be very curious to see how one would illustrate umpire mechanics without video. As for the price? It is steep, $70 is a lot of money. For most people I would imagine it would be around one and a half, to two game fees. In my opinion, it's worth it. I don't see another publication out there that goes this in depth into the mechanics that are being taught to future professional umpires. Mazz, if your looking and if you have this book, I assume that these are things you were taught at Harry's?

Plus, I had to buy a book for a poly-sci class this past semester. That cost me 200 big ones. So... $70? Not too bad ;)

[Rich Ives]

Jim Evans is a teaching professional, whose respectability as a premier umpiring instructor is virtually matchless. He would do well to have a writer, an editor, an illustrator and a publisher. It would make his books respectable for more than just the information.

I'd be really leery of using a writer or editor. They could change the meaning of things with an "improved" way of writing something. I've seen it happen.

This isn't the Great American Novel. It's a history and instruction book for a very specialazed thing. It doesn't need to be pretty.

[yawetag]

I'd be really leery of using a writer or editor. They could change the meaning of things with an "improved" way of writing something. I've seen it happen.

This isn't the Great American Novel. It's a history and instruction book for a very specialazed thing. It doesn't need to be pretty.

That's why you either use an editor who is experienced in umpiring (there's good ones out there on both fronts) or have a group verify and approve all changes made by the editor.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I'd be really leery of using a writer or editor. They could change the meaning of things with an "improved" way of writing something. I've seen it happen.

This isn't the Great American Novel. It's a history and instruction book for a very specialazed thing. It doesn't need to be pretty.

That's why you either use an editor who is experienced in umpiring (there's good ones out there on both fronts) or have a group verify and approve all changes made by the editor.

Exactly! And going to that expense would justify the lofty price tag.

I jumped at this book and am greatly impressed with the depth and quality of its information. It is an exceptional source of information on umpiring. I have never stated otherwise. It is simply not a sound practice to charge a price that one would charge for a professional publication. The unjustifiably high price also ensures that drastically fewer umpires will own one.

[gnhbua93]

I just got a copy off ebay for $19 to my door.

[johnnyg08]

On 12/30/2018 at 7:57 PM, gnhbua93 said:

I just got a copy off ebay for $19 to my door.

Congrats. I still use mine from time to time for historical reference. Jim has stated for years that he's working on a new one. 

That would be great!