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Originally Posted by Suudy
The point I'm trying to make is that rule knowledge is important, but I've personally found it only useful insofar as you are able to demonstrate that you have it, your ability to explain, and your manner with the coach. I've worked with guys that knew the book backwards and forwards, could address every case book situation with a rule reference from memory, but didn't have the field presence to do anything other than annoy the coach (and his fellow officials).
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You being a football official will be a great help when learning the rules of baseball. Football has an incredibly complex set of rules for penalty enforcement, etc. I think you will find baseball to be easier, different at first, but easier.
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My point only is that it seems the penalty for being a jerk in baseball is far greater than in football. Nailing a head coach for 15 yards usually wakes him up (or at least his assistants). But in baseball, you don't have that kind of option. You can't tell the manager "Keep it up, and I'll call your batter out." or "We are done. Keep arguing and I'll award bases." The only penalty is ejection, and that seems (at least from a football perspective) extreme.
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It is extreme coming from a football perspective but realize in the baseball realm that ejections are a lot more common and accepted. Plus, in Federation rules you do have the option to first restrict a coach to the dugout instead of going straight to an ejection. In general, I've found that as football officials, we're expected to tolerate a lot more garbage from coaches than we do as baseball umpires.
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The nuances in baseball (timing plays seem the most complex) is what is so fascinating--and daunting.
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Every sport has their banger calls. Football has catch/no catch and DPI, a close play at first is no different from the skill sets and fundamentals required. Get set, look / listen for specific criteria, see the whole play and make your call.
I think you will really enjoy yourself working baseball.