Umpire Manuals

ukce1861 · September 27, 2010

So I'm putting together my Christmas list, which consists of umpiring books... I'm curious, which is better: the PBUC Umpire Manual or the MLB Umpire Manual. It kind of seems like a waste to get them both, at least when there are a lot of other books I need. Is there value in having both? Which would you recommend if you're only getting one?

BrianC14 · September 27, 2010

So I'm putting together my Christmas list, which consists of umpiring books... I'm curious, which is better: the PBUC Umpire Manual or the MLB Umpire Manual. It kind of seems like a waste to get them both, at least when there are a lot of other books I need. Is there value in having both? Which would you recommend if you're only getting one?

How about Option C: Before I purchased either of those, I'd get this:

http://www.umpireacademy.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=101&osCsid=225168adc63c8184bc1609a3e5368295

JaxRolo · September 27, 2010

So I'm putting together my Christmas list, which consists of umpiring books... I'm curious, which is better: the PBUC Umpire Manual or the MLB Umpire Manual. It kind of seems like a waste to get them both, at least when there are a lot of other books I need. Is there value in having both? Which would you recommend if you're only getting one?

I am going through the PBUC Manual now and I like the examples/situations it has.

Never seen the MLB Manual.

semper_fi_72 · September 28, 2010

How about Option C: Before I purchased either of those, I'd get this:

http://www.umpireacademy.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=101&osCsid=225168adc63c8184bc1609a3e5368295

+1

It is the same material you would get if your attended the JEA.

Highly recommended.

UmpTTS43 · September 28, 2010

I would recommend the MLBUM. The PBUC manual is designed specifically for minor league ball. If you are using OBR rules, the PBUC interp does not apply. I don't know what the link goes to, but I am assuming that it is for the manual Maximizing The Two Umpire System. If it is, get it. I have heard good things about the BRD, basic rules differences put out by Childress on officiating.com. I am not a J/R guy. Others like it and get great use out of it. For the long and short of it, this is my list for you not knowing what levels you work. Rule books aside.

1) Maximizing the Two Umpire System

2) CCA manual

3) MLBUM

4) BRD

BrianC14 · September 28, 2010

I would recommend the MLBUM. The PBUC manual is designed specifically for minor league ball. If you are using OBR rules, the PBUC interp does not apply. I don't know what the link goes to, but I am assuming that it is for the manual Maximizing The Two Umpire System. If it is, get it. I have heard good things about the BRD, basic rules differences put out by Childress on officiating.com. I am not a J/R guy. Others like it and get great use out of it. For the long and short of it, this is my list for you not knowing what levels you work. Rule books aside.

1) Maximizing the Two Umpire System
2) CCA manual
3) MLBUM
4) BRD

Personally, I think the MLBUM is a waste of money. Let's face it - it's written for MLB umpires - I mean, how often do you have concern yourself with "When to turn on the lights or close the retractable roof" ? :clap:

Yes, it's got some good information on rules interpretations (if you happen to use OBR a lot) - but it's also got a lot of stuff that you simply will never need - IOW, it's an interesting book to have, but not one that I'd rely on if working high school or college games.

As for the BRD... does anyone know when that was last updated? Seems to me it's been years - anyone know?

After the JEA 2-man manual, I think that manual, I'd get the Jaksa/Roder Rules of Baseball. One important thing to remember is that the Jim Evans book is geared to mechanics, whereas the Jaksa Roder book is all about rules interps only.

ukce1861 · September 28, 2010

Thanks for the info guys. TTS, why do you say that the PBUC manual doesn't apply to OBR? Don't the minor leagues play under OBR?

So here's the list of books I was looking at getting, at least eventually. My level of ball is strictly LL at this point. Would like to move up to high school relatively soon (next season?).

MLB Umpire Manual
PBUC Umpire Manual
Manual for the Two Umpire System (From JEPUA's website)
J/R Rules of Baseball
2011 NFHS Rules
NFHS Case Book
NFHS Umpire's Manual
CCA Umpire's Manual
Maximizing the Two Umpire System

Anything you would eliminate from that list? Besides BRD, anything you would add? Rough priority list?

BrianC14 · September 28, 2010

Thanks for the info guys. TTS, why do you say that the PBUC manual doesn't apply to OBR? Don't the minor leagues play under OBR?

So here's the list of books I was looking at getting, at least eventually. My level of ball is strictly LL at this point. Would like to move up to high school relatively soon (next season?).

MLB Umpire Manual
PBUC Umpire Manual
Manual for the Two Umpire System (From JEPUA's website)
J/R Rules of Baseball
2011 NFHS Rules
NFHS Case Book
NFHS Umpire's Manual
CCA Umpire's Manual
Maximizing the Two Umpire System
Anything you would eliminate from that list? Besides BRD, anything you would add? Rough priority list?

If you're now working Little League and want to get into high school work, I recommend the following, as shown:

[1]Maximizing the Two Umpire System. (The new umpiring bible. Tells you the 'what' as well as the 'why' and 'how'. Since most of your work will be 2-man at the no-shave age, high school and lower college levels, this is the book you'll rely upon the most).

[2]2011 NFHS Rules (An obvious "must have" if you want to prep for high school work. It's important to understand that the FED rule book is a standalone document; that is, FED rules are not based on OBR, but they are a completely self-contained set of rules that apply to high school games only).

[3]CCA Umpire's Manual (Most college associations and a great many high school associations use this instead of the NFHS Manual. It's a 'must have' because it includes everything from 2-man to 6-man mechanics.

[4]J/R Rules of Baseball (Gives interpetations and points out the differences on Pro, NCAA, NAIA and High School rules. I rated this just below the 2011 NFHS Rules only because it isn't updated yearly, but it's definitely a "must have" book if you want to know all the differences between the rules. It's an invaluable resource to have, especially for those working both high school and college levels).

[5]Manual for the Two Umpire System (From JEPUA's website) (A highly condensed version of JE's "Maximizing" book; if you buy "Maximizing", then you won't need this one).

[6]NFHS Case Book (If you have the J/R Manual, you really won't need this nearly as much as you think; my association provides the NFHS Rules and Case Books annually, so for me this book isn't a purchase decision).

[7]MLB Umpire Manual (This will not help you prepare for high school games; a waste of money, IMO - unless you're planning to work an MLB game soon. I classify this as an "interesting" book to have, but there are other books way ahead of this in terms of books that will help you; I have the 2007 MLBUM, but it's never been used for rules interps, since I have other, more helpful books. Why buy a book that will just sit on the shelf?).

[8]PBUC Umpire Manual (As with the MLBUM, this book will not help you prepare for high school games; a waste of money, IMO. Save your money and get the JE 'Maximizing' instead).

[-5,239]NFHS Umpire's Manual (Stay away from this at all costs. Yes, some areas still use this as their mechanics 'go-to' book, and more's the pity. I get this free every year from my association, and it routinely finds it's way into the round file).

Edited September 28, 2010 by BrianC14

yawetag · September 28, 2010

2011 NFHS Rules
NFHS Case Book

Don't worry about purchasing these, unless you want the hard copy. I'm sure someone can get you a PDF file.

ukce1861 · September 28, 2010

Thanks again guys - really helpful!

UmpTTS43 · September 28, 2010

Thanks for the info guys. TTS, why do you say that the PBUC manual doesn't apply to OBR? Don't the minor leagues play under OBR?

PBUC has their own interpretations for MiLB, based on OBR, that do not apply anywhere else. If a game other than MiLB is being played, the OBR rules and interpretations are used along with league rules, ie bats, safety rules, etc.

I disagree with Brian's assurtion the the MLBUM is not worth the money. If you do a lot of ball that use OBR as their base rules, it is absolutely worth it. There are interpretations that are not within their own rule book.

BrianC14 · September 28, 2010

PBUC has their own interpretations for MiLB, based on OBR, that do not apply anywhere else. If a game other than MiLB is being played, the OBR rules and interpretations are used along with league rules, ie bats, safety rules, etc.

I disagree with Brian's assurtion the the MLBUM is not worth the money. If you do a lot of ball that use OBR as their base rules, it is absolutely worth it. There are interpretations that are not within their own rule book.

The MLB (OBR) rule book actually has relatively few interpretations in it - that's why manuals like the MLB Manual (and others) exist.

The problem with using an MLB Manual is that it is specifically written for Major League Baseball. In most areas, leagues that are using Official Baseball Rules also have their own localized rules that differ greatly from what's acceptable in MLB.

On a rule-by-rule basis, you'd get a lot more mileage out of the J/R book than you would from a manual that's been written for MLB. For example: how much use is a Pony or Ripken umpire going to need in Section 4 of the MLB manual (which deals with progress of the game)?

The MLB Manual (2007) that I have contains a grand total of 88 pages printed on 9" x 6" paper. Meanwhile, the J/R book is 235 pages on 8.5" x 11" paper. That's why I think that the J/R manual is a better value - it provides a great deal more information on rules interpretations. If I have a question on a rules matter - be it OBR, FED, NCAA or NAIA, I go to the J/R book, for obvious reasons.

Let's remember that the OP stated that he was currently working Little League with an eye toward getting into high school baseball - - please - don't suggest that the MLB Manual can be relied upon if there's a question about Little League or FED rules interpretations. Yes, I'm well aware that LL uses OBR - but they certainly don't use the same rules that are used in an MLB game - there are critical rules modifications made at LL baseball that apply nationally; there are also further modifications made locally by the various Little Leagues - and the same is true of most youth level baseball - all of which mean that LL (and other youth leagues rules are a world apart from the rules used in MLB.

Let's put it this way: ukce asked for recommendations on which books to buy and for a prioritization, and so I gave him my thoughts on the various books. Now, if he wants to buy an MLBUM, great - like I said, I have one of them myself (though it's now several years old, and frankly, I can't imagine buying another one - especially to use for rules interps). But if he wants something that will be useful in applying rules to the level of ball he's currently working (LL) and the level of ball that he would like to work (HS), then I can't see much logic in buying an MLBUM ahead of the other available books that would provide better rules interpretations for the level of baseball he's in today.

To my thinking, buying an MLB Manual and expecting it to be helpful in applying rules for Little League/youth leagues would be like buying a repair manual for a Ferrari and expecting it to be useful when working on your Nissan Maxima. Yes, they're both cars, but that's about where the similarities end.

Edited September 28, 2010 by BrianC14

mazzamouth · October 6, 2010

How about Option C: Before I purchased either of those, I'd get this:

http://www.umpireacademy.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=101&osCsid=225168adc63c8184bc1609a3e5368295

+1

I have one of these and it is by far the best 2 man book around.. very detailed..

I only wish there was one for 3 man..LOL now that I am doing pretty much all 3 man.

UmpTTS43 · October 6, 2010

+1

I have one of these and it is by far the best 2 man book around.. very detailed..

I only wish there was one for 3 man..LOL now that I am doing pretty much all 3 man.

It has been written. It is currently going through the editing process.

mazzamouth · October 7, 2010

It has been written. It is currently going through the editing process.

if it anything like the Jim Evans maximizing the 2 umpire system.. I will gladly pay for it.

UmpTTS43 · October 7, 2010

if it anything like the Jim Evans maximizing the 2 umpire system.. I will gladly pay for it.

I'm am almost positive it is written by Jim and Sarge again and will probably be named "Maximizing the 3 Umpire System" from Jim Evans Training Systems.

yawetag · October 7, 2010

I'm am almost positive it is written by Jim and Sarge again and will probably be named "Maximizing the 3 Umpire System" from Jim Evans Training Systems.

When does the prequel, "Maximizing the 1 Umpire System," come out?

Kevin Finnerty · October 23, 2010

It has been written. It is currently going through the editing process.

... that's funny stuff!

Rich Ives · October 26, 2010

If you do LL get the LL Rules Instruction Manual.

Also get the MLBUM. LL rules are mostly the same as OBR and there is a lot of useful interpretation information in it.

The PBUC is almost the same as MLBUM for playing rule interps as they have made a conscious effort to coordinate them in recent years.

J/R is pretty good but also has some, shall we say unique, interpretations on s few cases.

Astrosdawg07 · October 27, 2010

I've been reading the PBUC and absolutely love it!

mazzamouth · October 28, 2010

another good book is the College rule study guide that can be found on referee.com

it gives examples, and breaks the rule down like J/R.. for 20 bucks it is worth it, i think I read it almost every day.

MikeLikesStrikes · October 28, 2010

On a rule-by-rule basis, you'd get a lot more mileage out of the J/R book than you would from a manual that's been written for MLB. For example: how much use is a Pony or Ripken umpire going to need in Section 4 of the MLB manual (which deals with progress of the game)?

The MLB Manual (2007) that I have contains a grand total of 88 pages printed on 9" x 6" paper. Meanwhile, the J/R book is 235 pages on 8.5" x 11" paper. That's why I think that the J/R manual is a better value - it provides a great deal more information on rules interpretations. If I have a question on a rules matter - be it OBR, FED, NCAA or NAIA, I go to the J/R book, for obvious reasons.
.

+1 for J/R

I routinely get umpires trying to enforce FED rules in my LL games. I gently mention to them that there are 128 major differences between OBR and FED and he just tried to apply #xx which is rule x-x-x in FED and rule x.xx(a) in OBR; I get zero argument. (it's commonly one of 6 rules) (Yeah, I get confused coaches, too. But a confused coach is just fun. A confused official is an issue.)

OBR is impossible to read unless you are citing a single rule. J/R is all about learning the rules properly. I think there are 7 scattered references to Runner's or BR's INT in OBR. Well, in J/R, they are all combined into one section. There is no way I could learn all the aspects of INT from an OBR rule book.

I have thought seriously about wandering my neighborhood on Saturdays and knocking on doors to ask people if they have accepted Jaksa/Roder as their personal savior.

:FIRE: :

sasmallen · November 3, 2010

another good book is the College rule study guide that can be found on referee.com

it gives examples, and breaks the rule down like J/R.. for 20 bucks it is worth it, i think I read it almost every day.

Don't know if this is the one you're talking about, but it's at Amazon for $15.56 with free amazon prime shipping. I got my copy a couple of months ago and they were just over $12, so the price may go down.

http://www.amazon.co...ref=oss_product

51Xsdr5iuML._SL500_AA300_.jpg

mazzamouth · November 6, 2010

Don't know if this is the one you're talking about, but it's at Amazon for $15.56 with free amazon prime shipping. I got my copy a couple of months ago and they were just over $12, so the price may go down.

Yes this is the book.. very good book, it is broke down and easy to read and understand the rules.

Penfold · December 6, 2010

When does the prequel, "Maximizing the 1 Umpire System," come out?

Working 1 man isnt a system its a pain in the ass! as Jimmy would say.

I have had the J/R for a few years now but i find it confuseing in places.

we use OBR with there interpritations.

I use the PBUC red and blue book and Jimmys rules index.

Our assositation uses Jim Evans teaching as we have around 7 members who have been to The 5 weeker and `classics`.

I have seen some of the 3 man book and it looks rearly usefull.

I will get a copy of the new 2 man, when my buddy comes back from the 5 weeker.

Also i`m geting an e reader for christmas so dose any one know of any of the manuals are in PDF or electronic form. :2cents:

Eddie

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