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Originally posted by chris s
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J/R is NOT authorotative literature. I have seen some of thier interps directly in conflict with NAPBL, on the info provided on these boards. I do not own J/R, but have NAPBL. 3 friends of mine who work proball have never even heard of J/R.
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I'm sorry, but you are simply incorrect. The book to which you are referring,
Rules of Professional Baseball: A Comprehensive Re-Organization and Clarification, written by Chris Jaksa and Rick Roder, most certainly
is authoritative.
I don't know know who your three friends are, but if they don't know who Chris Jaksa and Rick Roder are, then try asking them if they've ever heard of the Joe Brinkman Umpire School. Mr. Jaksa was the Primary Rules Instructor for that school from 1987-1989, and Mr. Roder assisted him.
The "J/R", the book as it is known on the Internet (as coined by Carl "Papa C" Childress,) is definitely not
official for any league that I am aware of. By, "official," I mean that a governing body has decided that the book may be used by its league(s), by its umpires, and in making protest decisions. The only such arrangement I am aware of exists with Minor League Baseball and the
National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues' Manual.
In the youth league world, Little League comes the closest to making NAPBL Manual official, with reports of clinic instructors passing the word down from Williamsport. As long as the NAPBL does not directly conflict with Little League rules, it can be used for official interpretations and in making protest decisions. It ain't written anywhere, but that's how "everyone" understands it.
I am unaware of any other amateur league, or governing body, which has specifically declared the NAPBL as, "official." Beyond the rulebook, there's nothing.
So, J/R is as authoritative as they come. What
authority would one look to for information about professional baseball rules? Two former instructors of a professional umpires' school, perhaps?
The only authority, in my opinion, that supercedes that of J/R would be
Jim Evans' Baseball Rules Annotated, and only because of the historical information Mr. Evans provides. Otherwise, I would consider them of equal, authoritative weight.
I would be enlightened to learn of all the
direct conflicts between J/R and the NAPBL Manual. Please share.
Hope you're well, chris.