The Umpire Market

[sdix00]

I recently reviewed the number of installs of the NFHS Baseball Rules App in the Google Play store. . . less than 1000 installs nationwide.   Softball has less than 500.   Assuming iPhone installs are about the same.   $6 and nearly every umpire in the country, save 2000, decided that they don't want to spend the money or can't use it?

 

Is the umpire market really just a wisp from a sliver from a segment  from a portion of a very small piece of the pie?

 

 

[noumpere]

Many don't use HS rules.

 

Many don't have a smart phone

 

Many know the rules well enough that they don't need the ap (Im just guessing that's what it is).

 

Maybe there are other aps that do similar things

 

Some of those apply to me so I am one of the 50000 (swag) that didn't buy it.

[Umpire in Chief]

I did get it, but probably won't next year.

[grayhawk]

I got it and use it frequently.

[KLAH316]

I bought it and use it.....

[LMSANS]

I bought and use it. 2 years in a row.

Larry Sansevere

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[krwill96]

We get the hard copy of the book as part of our dues to the association. I have downloaded the MLB rules on my IPhone for free and use it whenever I need to quickly look something up. I don't know if I'd use the nfhs one if I downloaded it.

[Bumps]

We also get a hard copy of the Fed Book, so no real need to download. If we stop getting the book, I would probably download.

[sdix00]

Just a note on the app. 

 

It is EXTREMELY well done. 

 

BOTH the rule book AND Case book are included and search works on both at the same time. 

 

Bookmarks allow you to create a hit list of rules for quick access. 

 

The search allows you to search with multiple terms NEAR each other, e.g. "batter hit by pitch"  will bring up much more than just that exact string. 

 

Once you find ONE relevant rule, if there is a reference to another rule, the app links you to those sections as well while keeping you under the umbrella of the original rule. 

 

COPY AND PASTE WORKS!!  Sharing is easy - simply highlight the text, press share, and pick SMS, Email, etc. and off it goes. 

 

_____

 

I used to download the PDFs from NFHS, but the app works WAY better.   Totally worth $6. 

[maninblack69]

Thanks for posting this. I may have to check it out!

[D62 blue]

I have the fed app , very handy . I read it frequently .

 

Marc

[JaxRolo]

I have it. It's great!

[mstaylor]

I bought it but I'm a rules nut. I also buy Rules By Topic, another great resource. I get phone calls at all kinds of odd places so I like having it on my phone. The problem is many umpires seem to tech stupid. I know I have to help multiple members maintain their computers, including getting them to their test. These guys have neither smart phones or a desire to learn more technology. I personally prefer the opposite, I try to learn as much about technology as I can. Also, the baseball app for Droids was just added this year. 

[law_reb]

I bought the app and use it frequently. I like the search function and that it gives you all other relevant rules to the one you are viewing.   We get the books as part of our dues as well, but having it on my phone was worth $6.

[VAUmp]

I have it.  For six bucks, you can't beat it.  The rule book and case book cost 9 bucks each for the paper copy.

I used it last night when my partner and I were coming home from a game and we had a question about a rule.

 

And on an unrelated note, the pitcher lost a no-hit bid with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh.  

[IABlue]

I would never waste my money on something like that.

 

I know the rules inside and out and know right where to look something up in the book in the EXTREMELY RARE event that I have a question.

[BigUmpire]

 

I would never waste my money on something like that.

 

I know the rules inside and out and know right where to look something up in the book in the EXTREMELY RARE event that I have a question.

 

You have got to be kidding!

[Thunderheads]

I would never waste my money on something like that.

 

I know the rules inside and out and know right where to look something up in the book in the EXTREMELY RARE event that I have a question.

This is just asking for trouble and stirring the pot purposely, so, .... KNOCK IT OFF, RIGHT NOW!

 

End of discussion

[IABlue]

 

I would never waste my money on something like that.

 

I know the rules inside and out and know right where to look something up in the book in the EXTREMELY RARE event that I have a question.

 

You have got to be kidding!

 

I most certainly am not.

 

I guarantee I can find anything you would like in an actual rule book within the same general timeframe that you're going to find it on your phone.

[grayhawk]

Smartphones are a fad anyway...

[tldavis19]

I have the app and love it. Worth every bit of $6 just for the speed and ease of the search function. Saves tons of time over flipping page by page and I don't have to worry about not having my rulebook at the meetings haha.

[bam]

I'm going to pay 6 bucks for something I've already got?  OK.  The search function might be nice.  BUT... reading the rulebook is still the best way to learn.  If you've read the book enough, you should be able to find the appropriate reference in less than a minute. 

 

Hey - if  you want to spend money for convenience, go for it.  I'm in the industry.  I get it.  Convincing people (dummies) to spend money on apps they don't really need is truly this economies growth industry.

[IABlue]

I'm going to pay 6 bucks for something I've already got?  OK.  The search function might be nice.  BUT... reading the rulebook is still the best way to learn.  If you've read the book enough, you should be able to find the appropriate reference in less than a minute. 

 

Hey - if  you want to spend money for convenience, go for it.  I'm in the industry.  I get it.  Convincing people (dummies) to spend money on apps they don't really need is truly this economies growth industry.

Agreed.

 

Look, I get that people take pride in studying the rules, being able to show their friends in the association where to look stuff up, etc, as well as having the "cutting edge" stuff if they can get it.  Stuff like this makes them feel like they're on top of the game and doing everything they can to be the best that they can be.

 

For some of us, it's just overkill and is completely unnecessary.  I happen to fall into the latter category.

[tldavis19]

I like having quick access to the rules whenever, wherever I am. I always have my phone with me, but I don't always carry a rule book. If I'm bored at work or I just have something to look up, it's very convenient. I may not need the app, but I like to have it. Doesn't make me a "dummy." I just like being able to have access to it at a moment's notice. Plus my 8 month old Jack Russel/Chihuahua mix ate my hard copy. That kinda forced my hand too....

[sdix00]

. . . reading the rulebook is still the best way to learn.  . .

I cannot express how much I disagree with this. For me, reading the rule book was one of the worst ways to learn the rules. . .but that's a different thread.

A quick search for 'offens interfer' and 'runner interfer' yields these rules and all related case plays. .

2-21-1

3-3-1n

5-1-1e

6-1-5

8-2-8

8-2-9

8-4-1a,g,h

8-4-2a1,b,e,f,g,k

I don't even know how to thread all that together without some technology

I've only been doing HS ball for 3 years but I am expected to know just as much as you do. This technology allows me to avoid some learning moments on the field.