Do you carry your rulebook to the field?

[Dragon29]

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?

[Umpire in Chief]

I've never brought mine onto the field. But I do have it in my car, (OBR & FED), I've actualy never had a LL rule book.

[BrianC14]

Not only no, but HELL NO!

Back when I first began umpiring, (1991), I attended a clinic that was led by several AA and AAA umpires.

A couple of them worked the Eastern League, and they related how they had (back then) been required to carry their book ON THEIR PERSON during a game.

So, their association leadership complied, and each umpire carried their rule book in the back right pocket.

There is was, folded over at least twice, with maybe 1/4 roll of duct tape securing it.

I later learned that requirement went away by the end of that season. :WTF

[Dragon29]

Brian - I appreciate your response, but . . . why? (& I don't mean the AA/AAA scenario - I mean you personally)

Please elaborate.

Thanks

[UmpJM]

Dragon,

I do not carry a rulebook on the field either (though, like Warren, I usually have them in my car).

The reason I do not is that I feel it would likely do no good.

The rulebook has so many inconsistencies, ambiguities, and, at times, contradictions, that if something really "weird" came up during a game, you would likely need to refer to various interpretation manuals to get a definitive ruling anyway.

I'll always listen to a reasonable appeal of a rules application issue from the head coach, I'll consult with my partner if I'm the least bit unsure, and if the coach still doesn't like the ruling, he can protest.

I also agree with those who suggest that carrying a rulebook on the field undermines the umpire's credibility.

JM

[BrianC14]

Brian - I appreciate your response, but . . . why? (& I don't mean the AA/AAA scenario - I mean you personally)

Please elaborate.

Thanks

JM's response gives the same reasons I would give, though I would add that coaches that see you bring out a book on the field will now be given license to start a debate about how a rule is worded, etc. etc. etc.

It's simply a bad idea. Picture an umpire, flippping from page to page to page, trying to find the "right" rule to apply in a given situation, and then here comes Mr. Coach to add in his two cents.

The bottom line is that an umpire shouldn't NEED the book on the field.

Like the other guys that have posted, I also carry mine in the car, and I have on occassion referenced it AFTER a game, if a question lingered about a particular play; but on the field? NEVER.

[jjb]

2 reasons, and you've already found one: it makes you look like you don't know the rules when you stop the game, and start thumbing through the book. It'll be difficult when you make your next decision without the book: they'll want you to research it again.

Second, you don't want the game to turn onto a Rules Discussion. It'd be very difficult to keep it between you and your partner, and keeping coaches, players, fans and the popcorn vendor out of the conversation.Take a look at what happens in these umpire forums, where ask about a ruling. It quickly breaks down into a "yeah, ok, but what about......?" You'll never get the game over.

It's best to get with your partner, make a decision, and stick with it. There's Protest Procedures for coaches that disagree.

....and then go home and find out if you got it right....

[BrianC14]

....

Second, you don't want the game to turn onto a Rules Discussion. It'd be very difficult to keep it between you and your partner, and keeping coaches, players, fans and the popcorn vendor out of the conversation.Take a look at what happens in these umpire forums, where ask about a ruling. It quickly breaks down into a "yeah, ok, but what about......?" You'll never get the game over.....

Well said.

This reason alone could be filed under "GAME MANAGEMENT". :WTF

[Dragon29]

Guys - thanks.

I knew it was generally frowned upon, but had never accepted that it detracted from the umpire's credibility. (leafing through it on a regular basis, yes - but just carrying it?)

I now can see how it could in certain situations.

Honestly, in all the time I've been umpiring (& carrying it) I've never referred to it during a game so . .. why carry it?

I have (as jjb suggests) gone right to it after a game to review a variety of issues/rulings, but have always waited until I was at least back to my car to do so.

[Stan W.]

I have a brief case that I carry in my vehicle that has all of my rules info....I take it to chapter meetings and clinics....I do not carry it onto the field....

An old mentor of mine always said never carry a rule book onto the field..... "YOU are the rulebook on the field....."..

I agree 100% with JJB that it makes you look like you don't know the rules when you stop the game, and start thumbing through the book. And also agree that, coaches being coaches, that they will make it difficult when you make your next decision without the book: they'll want you to research it again.

I also agree that you don't want the game to turn onto a Rules Discussion. "

Lastly, most rule book formats are not conducive to easy and quick referencing to the rule.....spending 10 minutes searching multiple sections to pacify the coach is unreasonable......and the BRD is too big to go in your back pocket.....

Dont carry one, but have it on hand (vehicle)....if you encounter somehting you arent sure of, before you undress after the game, look it up.........notate your game journal, and highlight the rule for further study........

we are the rule book on the field.......

[AllanA]

I do not take one to the field with me. Let them protest. Play on.

Let the board sort it out. If they win the protest fine. If not o well.

I did LL years ago and I had to tell a coach to stay in the dugout.

He would come out and ask if he could do this or that. I finally told him to attend a rules clinic.

Allan

[LMSANS]

I was going toa HS level mechanics clinic put together by umpires from throughout NJ. My association interpreter had been the organizer of this clinic for about 15 years and had just handed over the reins to another guy. There is usually some down time at this clinic, so I figured I'll bring the rule book with me to read during breaks. Well, lo and behold, the new top guy sees the book in my pocket and calls out my interpreter and the 2 of them ride me for carrying the book for about 15 minutes while the drills are going on.

I never bring the book on the field (yes in the car), and I will NEVER bring it to a clinic again!:WTF

[catoblue]

The closest mine gets to the field is in my bag that stays in the changing room.

Like the general consensus, pulling out the rule book makes you look like you don't know the rules, and can cause game management problems.

Now, that said, what really irks me, is when rat-coach carries his on him and tries to argue everything that has to do with a rule applied on the field. Although I don't have a memory that lets me tell a coach to go "read 6.02(b)", I have a good enough memory to know which section he'll find his answer in, and can I can tell him to go "read section 6" (or applicable section) of his rule book and leave it at that. Usually it only takes one time for them to get the point that I've read the rule book many, many more times than he ever will, along with materials like the LL RIM, and he figures out that he's gonna lose every time.

[ump81]

Mr. Dragon, concerning rule books, ever seen a MLB, NFL or NHL referee paging through a rule book for an interpretation? Jim Evans is probably the world's expert on MLB rules and he would never think of carrying a rule book. Credibility, professionalism, confidence and game management are a few of the reasons I would mention. But I certainly carry all 3 of the rules codes I use in my equipment bag, OBR, NFHS and NCAA. I also have a laminated card for the NCAA DH rule in my line-up folder, as nobody involved in NCAA baseball can remember that confusing rule. I usually confer on those crazy double and triple switch situations in a 9 or 10 man lineup, make sure the batting order never changes and say "OK Coach, sounds good" I'm pretty sure the other coach has no idea if he can switch all those guys either, but it looks good when I check to make sure! I did have a rule situation where I had to run out to the car to get the book last season in a legion game played under OBR rules, 10 man team DH gets ejected for a malicious slide on a steal, now they are down to 9 with a pitcher and an 8 man batting order with DH now gone, other team coach celebrating calling his guys off the field as a forfeit for not enough players, STANDBY, the pitcher simply now must bat in the DH spot they still have 9 guys, this caused a firestorm of protest and the tournament director was all for the forfeit, no one in the park had a book so I ran out and got my dog eared 2000 rule book from pro school with a gallon of highlighter ink all over it from Jim Evans' classes, and went to the AL DH rules as proof and all was good. So there is a place for a rule book, its in your HEAD, and in your car. I think the hardest thing is keeping track of what rule book we are playing under that particular game, AAU uses NFHS, PONY=OBR with modifications, USSSA mostly NFHS, summer wood leagues NCAA, summer adults OBR with execptions..etc..etc. If a rule problem comes up; get with your partner, brain storm together, apart from coaches and all arguments, bounce the question off each other with this overlying philosophy "who screwed up" never reward a mess up or penalyze good play. This is the spirit under which the rules were written and re-written over the years to ensure a fair balance between defense and offense. If you think of the larger picture instead of minute rule sitations and quotations I guarantee you will get them right, therefore there is no need to have that crutch in your back pocket.

[mstaylor]

I remember a few years ago, I was working the bases on a semi final ECTB game. We found an illegal bat but weren't sure of the proper ruling in their system. I had to go to my truck because it made a difference. Turns out he was ejected and had to sit the final game also. I never carry it on the field but I do keep it close.

[BrianC14]

The closest mine gets to the field is in my bag that stays in the changing room.

Like the general consensus, pulling out the rule book makes you look like you don't know the rules, and can cause game management problems.

Now, that said, what really irks me, is when rat-coach carries his on him and tries to argue everything that has to do with a rule applied on the field. Although I don't have a memory that lets me tell a coach to go "read 6.02(b)", I have a good enough memory to know which section he'll find his answer in, and can I can tell him to go "read section 6" (or applicable section) of his rule book and leave it at that. Usually it only takes one time for them to get the point that I've read the rule book many, many more times than he ever will, along with materials like the LL RIM, and he figures out that he's gonna lose every time.

I used to tell coaches that as well. "Go read Section x, y, z..."

But then I quit doing that after learning that most coaches can't read.

BA-DA-BOOM! My first pre-season dig at the rats! Thanks, thanks, very much, I'll be here all season. :confused:

[jim knight]

All good posts especialy like Brian's dig at the RATS / maybe could start a whole new discussion about respect for the players and coaches... we'll save that one.

Seems like everyone has the same thought... no rule book on field but do have it handy for pre / post game or any unusal situation during game... protests / rain delays... on and on.

[BrianC14]

All good posts especialy like Brian's dig at the RATS / maybe could start a whole new discussion about respect for the players and coaches... we'll save that one.

Seems like everyone has the same thought... no rule book on field but do have it handy for pre / post game or any unusal situation during game... protests / rain delays... on and on.

While I don't bring the whole library with me, I also keep my CCA manual in the car, most especially for pre/post game clarification. It has come in handy most recently when trying to ensure that partners know about the BU getting the 2nd play at 3rd base when the ball's in the infield.

Agreed re: the respect issue. That's a whole 'nother multi-page thread waiting to happen. :confused:

[mstaylor]

This is a little off the point but when discussing a rule interp with a coach, don't quote chapter and verse or the rule number. Use language from the rule but don't quote it exactly. You want to appear knowledgable without being a smart aleck.

The only time I do that is if the manager wants to a pain. I called a kid out for interference, stopping in front of the SS. The manager comes out of the dugoutwith an opening gamitof," Do you just make this stuff up as you go along." I explained what I had and he asked didn't there have to be contact. He then said I had to show that to him. I knew this manager very well and knew he carried a rulebook on his clipboard. I just quoted the exact rule number and letter. He looked at me with a stupid look, so I told him he had a rulebook go look it up. He allowed that he had no doubt that I was right and went to the dugout. I suggest this in unusual cases only. Also, I'm a big dog in my area and can do things sometimes that would never work for someone else.

[MCLEOD36]

I keep MLB and FED/HS in my truck. If a coach is really anal, then after the game I can say coach, I am happy to show the rule. Last night, I had a game where the bat looked like a cricket bat. I looked up and said, Ok, batter you need to change bats and keep that one in your bag. Coach went nuts, crowd yelled check the bat for an inning and I went next time poof gone. The reason didnt eject, no coaches meeting at beginning of the game... Boy, those tournaments are fun.....

[jjb]

I have my OBR rules in a three-ring binder, and there's been times that 'd like to rip out the correct rule and staple it to the coach's forehead, but I'd probably have to write an e-mail to the league afterward...

[BrianC14]

I have my OBR rules in a three-ring binder, and there's been times that 'd like to rip out the correct rule and staple it to the coach's forehead, but I'd probably have to write an e-mail to the league afterward...

Same here. I'd include a photo attachment for the sheer joy of it, though. :clap:

[gv59]

I don't carry a rule book either as noted above. In all-stars here in Cali they give a coach 3 mins to come up with the rule in the book or the game goes on without a protest. Coaches know the rules so well they have no problem finding the right rule to apply.LOL

[kylejt]

For those of you that work Little League, I'm sure you're aware that the rulebooks actually say you should have the book with you. I don't do it, but I thought you'd like to know.

I do make sure one is at each scorers table, in case someone needs to refer to it.

It's a no-no in my area for the manager to bring one to a discussion on the field.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

Our local LL has rule books in the scorers booths for reference. I DO NOT & NEVER WILL CARRY A RULE BOOK ONTO THE FIELD. If a manager thinks I am wrong (on an interpretation, not a judgment), we will have a quick discussion about it. If the manager wants to continue, I tell him that he has ONE minute to show me where I am wrong. At the end of that time, there will be a reversal, a protest, an ejection, or a quiet coach in the dugout. Any way you look at it, the game will quickly continue.

Bigdog:cool: