Cca Baseball Umpire Manual
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.
The Manual for the Two-Umpire System sells for $14.50 (plus $4.95 S/H). PBUC Umpire Manual The official umpire manual for Minor League Baseball and the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp.
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. 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'? 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.
Cca Baseball Umpire Manual
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. 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? 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: 1Maximizing 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). 22011 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).
3CCA 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). 5Manual 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).
7MLB 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. 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. 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. 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.
Cca Baseball Umpire Manual
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. 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.
Umpires Professional Baseball Umpire Program Manuals The PBUC publishes and distributes two manuals to Minor League umpires which are used throughout all National Association leagues as training and guidebooks. Manual for the Two-Umpire System This 87-page manual serves as the official guide and handbook for all Minor League Baseball umpires using a two-umpire system. The manual has been updated for the 2001 season and contains such subjects as mechanics, coverage, positioning, responsibilities, optional coverages, procedures, and terminology used in a two-umpire system by professional umpires. 80 detailed diagrams highlight the proper mechanics, positioning, and coverages for virtually every type of play in a two-umpire system.
The concepts and methods contained in this book are those that are taught at the annual PBUC Evaluation Course for candidates seeking umpiring positions in professional baseball. These are the same mechanics which are recommended and taught by the PBUC staff when supervising, evaluating, and instructing umpires in all Minor League Baseball leagues. In addition, the book is made available to the private umpire schools whose primary function is to train prospective professional umpires. The Manual for the Two-Umpire System sells for $14.50 (plus $4.95 S/H). PBUC Umpire Manual The official umpire manual for Minor League Baseball and the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. This 102-page manual contains the offical rule interpretations and clarifications used throughout Minor League Baseball. It includes sections on equipment, players and the playing field, lineups and substitutions, interference and obstruction, pitching regulations, appeals and base awards, progress of the game, instructions to umpires, three- and four-umpire mechanics, plus policies, general practices, rulings and guidelines.
The PBUC Umpire Manual sells for $14.95 (plus $4.95 S/H).If ordering both Manuals, S/H is $4.95. For further details please contact the PBUC Office: Professional Baseball Umpire Corp P.O. Petersburg, FL 33731 Tel: (727) 456-1724 Fax: (727) 821-5819.