Do you carry your rulebook to the field?

[mstaylor]

If I have a jug or a cooler, I put it outside the gate. If I just have a bottle, I stick it through the chain link.

[willv28]

If I have a jug or a cooler, I put it outside the gate. If I just have a bottle, I stick it through the chain link.

Yeah, that's what I do, I just try to hide it somewhere. I thought I was doing something wrong.

[BT_Blue]

What do you do with your water? I gotta have lots of water when it starts to get warm.

Ive gotten spoiled with the college ball here. Even the JuCos bring water to you. Its great. Was a bit of a transition when the college season ended and I had to remember to bring water with me.

[willv28]

We do get some water during regular season. During all-stars you "get as much as you need". But either I have to hunt someone down, or I feel bad taking like 4, 5 half liters from the league. So I just bring my jug unless I know I won't need much.

[kylejt]

I get water or Gatorade delivered upon request. In the fifth inning someone comes down to take my postgame food order. It gets delivered to the umpire room.

You guys need to come to my park.

[BT_Blue]

I get water or Gatorade delivered upon request. In the fifth inning someone comes down to take my postgame food order. It gets delivered to the umpire room.

You guys need to come to my park.

Sign me up... I want lobster and prime rib for my first post game meal.

[willv28]

Wow, umpire room, I'm jealous.

[Dragon29]

Sign me up... I want lobster and prime rib for my final post game meal.

Fixed your post for you - you're welcome!

[BT_Blue]

Fixed your post for you - you're welcome!

Thanks... and hopefully before midnight the govern-ator calls...

[critter]

OK - I've been meaning to ask this question for a while, but the other site I'm on tends to rip Little League umpires for no apparent reason. I work other youth ball as well, but most of what I do is LL Juniors and above.

The Little League rule book contains an instruction to always bring your rulebook to the field with you - The logic being you can look up a rule or interpretation much more easily if you have your book, thereby avoiding potential protest situations.

Most umpires I know and have communicated with via sites like this would advise against that - The logic being that it makes you appear as if you do not know the rules, undermining your authority on the field.

I err on the side of caution and always make sure I have it with me, but I don't make it obvious that I have it.

How about you?

Same said in calripken,babe ruth but i don't i might have on in car and another in home. I personally thought of bringing it but its like "it shows how inexperience you are" If a problem occurs we talk over with the other umpires or what you call usually stands.

[frenchblue]

"it shows how inexperience you are"

so so true

[kylejt]

A rulebook poking out of the back pocket of the umpire will become a target for an observant manager. It's the sign of a rookie. Maybe not a sign, but a red signal flare shot into the air that says "I'm not sure what I'm doing out here".

Plus, when would you actually pull the thing out? In between innings? Do that, and expect to hear "Why don't you just flip the plate over, and read the directions?"

[Aging_Arbiter]

OK - I've been meaning to ask this question for a while, but the other site I'm on tends to rip Little League umpires for no apparent reason. I work other youth ball as well, but most of what I do is LL Juniors and above.

The Little League rule book contains an instruction to always bring your rulebook to the field with you - The logic being you can look up a rule or interpretation much more easily if you have your book, thereby avoiding potential protest situations.

Most umpires I know and have communicated with via sites like this would advise against that - The logic being that it makes you appear as if you do not know the rules, undermining your authority on the field.

I err on the side of caution and always make sure I have it with me, but I don't make it obvious that I have it.

How about you?

Kyle ~ Dragon pointed out two things here I think need mentioned. the book contains that instruction, and another site rips LL umpires. Instead of being condesending towards others, why not offer some positive feedback? Or go back to the other site that he refers to.

[kylejt]

Kyle ~ Dragon pointed out two things here I think need mentioned. the book contains that instruction, and another site rips LL umpires. Instead of being condesending towards others, why not offer some positive feedback? Or go back to the other site that he refers to.

Fair enough. I positively recommend that no umpire has a visible rule book on the field with them. The wording in the book is wrong, and needs to be changed. Ask any LL umpire instructor.

If you need it, have it available. Scores table, snack bar, etc. Just don't have it in your back pocket, please.

[sasmallen]

Kyle ~ Dragon pointed out two things here I think need mentioned. the book contains that instruction, and another site rips LL umpires. Instead of being condesending towards others, why not offer some positive feedback? Or go back to the other site that he refers to.

You really thought Kyle's post was that bad? Really?

[Aging_Arbiter]

You really thought Kyle's post was that bad? Really?

No, just tired <from the other site> of his "better than thou" attitude. It could have been worse, but I politely made a reccomendation and he willingly reposted.

[willv28]

heh, during the LLWS I was just having fun. But, I was always taught to never bring the rule book with me. Partly because of the looks of it. But partly the regular season in our LL doesn't mean anything in terms of any tangible reward other than bragging rights. They just play, so protests would be a waste of everyone's time. During All-Stars there would be no point either since I know the guy outside the fence will have one and handling any protest situations.

[nolanadair]

Having your rulebook sticking out of your pocket is kind of like having your red flag (Little League majors and below) hanging out of your pocket so that everyone can see. Having your red flag out of your pocket is kind of telling people that you want to call it, and are looking for people leaving early a lot. I hope that makes sense.

I remember seeing a picture somewhere, where there was a home plate umpire who had a rule book in his back pocket hanging out, AND his pants were ripped right in the middle of his butt.

That would not be a good day.

[willv28]

heh, yeah, I carry my red flag in my front pocket and make sure it's way stuffed in there so it doesn't ever show. I didn't start carrying it at all until near the end of the year.

[Aging_Arbiter]

heh, yeah, I carry my red flag in my front pocket and make sure it's way stuffed in there so it doesn't ever show. I didn't start carrying it at all until near the end of the year.

Will, that's a great place for it.......deep in the pocket. However, I'd suggest carrying it from the beginning of the season. If you throw it early in the year (if needed), odds are it will be less likely that anyone will see it later in the year.