[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by PJUMP

However I look online and try to find answers and read about situations as much as possible. Which is probably a lot more then some volunteers do? NOT SAYING EVERYONE. I do find the rule book for little league to be quite confusing.

I came across this board and thought that this could be another great opportunity for me to learn. Maybe that is not what this board is about. Maybe this is just a board for all professional paid umpires to talk about situations and have discussions.

I apologize if I annoyed anyone here or if they feel like I'm wasting their time for asking stupid or simple questions. On the other hand I also want to thank everyone for all of their help by responding to my questions.

You have to admit your questions were very vague.

This is NOT a professional umpires Board and most who post do try and help.

You DID receive good advice.

1. Attend a Rules clinic

I too was one of those parents that got pulled out of the stands, however, I became PRO Active.

Read the thread on keeping a journal.

To me that was one of the BEST things i ever did.

Why!

By keeping a journal I was now able to ask SPECIFIC questons on a given situation. You are CORRECT, the OBR/LL Rule-Books are written VERY POORLY. The OBR rule-book is for Professional athletes. Amateur Leagues borrow those rules and try to FIT those rules in THEIR game.

When you start out in LL or any other OBR rule-based league you for the most part HAVE to keep a Journal.

here's a very basic situation

1. B1 is hit by the pitch - What is the STATUS of the ball

In OBR you will not find the answer without looking in a few places. You first go to rule 6 which covers the batter, then you have to go to rule 5 to find out the status of the ball (ie; is the ball LIVE or is it DEAD).

In many instances using the OBR rule-book you have to go to 3 places.

Therefore, it is a MUST that you attend a rules clinic or purchase materials that EXPLAIN the OBR rule-book.

Here's My advice for you.

1. If you are going to take Umpiring serious, Read the book and come up with a list of questions.

2. Attend a Rules Clinic and make certain you have answers to those questions

3. make up your own "Cliff Notes" so to speak concerning Base Awards / Status of the ball.

One of the reasons I prefer FED rules is because FED rules were designed for the Amateur Game. Their rules are much more concise, Explained very well and FED has a Case Book to Clarify certain rulings to aid the umpire.

In OBR, without purchasing Carl's BRD or the J/R, PBUC manuals it is almost impossible to truly understand the OBR rule-book.

Conclusion: After you umpire your games Keep a Log of a SPECIFIC situation and write it down. Then Come to this Forum and we will gladly try and help, but it is difficult when the questions you pose are Vague.

Good Luck!

Pete Booth