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Rulebook on field
My thoughts on this: (Repeating some, I'm sure)
1. Umpire should never carry a rulebook in his pocket or any place else it can be seen. If you feel you need it as a crutch, stick in your ballbag. Given that it's a week until my first game, I currently know where my books are, they are in some compartment in my equipment bag, that's where they're staying.
2. Manager is welcome to bring a rulebook on the field provided the game is over and I'm already changing out of my gear in front of my moveable lockerroom.
3. In the course of the discussion he's welcome to say "sir, I thought the rule was X, you called Y, how come?
4. If he does manage to sneak a book on the field, I'm asking him to drop it on the ground, when it folds up like it's never been opened, it goes back in his pocket. If by some chance it stays open, we'll talk. In the few times I've done this, I've never had one open.
5. This is another reason you carry a notepad on you. You make the note about the play after the inning is over and look it up yourself later.
6. Only time a rulebook is coming out, a formal protest had better have been filed and allowed.
If you don't know enough about the rules to get you through most all situations, don't go on the field. Learn the basics and then add to it everyday.
Alex
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