Starting with the state is how the process begins. Reuqests for rule changes are sent there and the state body then forwards them to NHFS rules committee.

We've followed their process in Washington and have been successful in getting some changes.

Just clean up the wording on the new balk rule. It basically contridicts itself.

Mechanics consistency across the various codes
 

I recently worked the American Legion state tournament. I recognised that the majority of our work would be three and four man. This was something I rarely see, so I studied the mechanics manual that I had - NFHS.

The UIC shows up with some photo-copied pages from some other source. I think it may have been one of those Referee magazine publications - it had that full page format look to it.

Of course what he brought was different than what I had been studying. Then there were two or three snafus during the tournament where neither set of instructions were followed...

Consistentcy across the various ruling bodies would be good. I don't know which set of instructions is best but I do know that ONE SET is the best solution. And that three and four man mechanics should also be incuded in that effort.

JJ,
Are you one of the Baseball Clinicians for the IHSA?

WindyCity - yep, I am. That's why I stop by here - I try to get as much "real world" info as I can and try to stay up on what folks are thinking. Thanks.

One of the clinicians gave me his IHSA Level 1 & 2 CD and I printed it out. I work a lot of college ball and know the CCA manual, as well. A lot of the CCA stuff is geared to having competent partners and superior playing talent. (i.e. you can assume more double plays or better relays for put outs on plays from teh outfield). The high school umpire usually doesn't encounter these variables. The guidelines have flaws, but put the average official in a good position to make the right calls. The single biggest improvement we can make, in my opinion, is helping the single umpire work his game more effectively. Too many guys never move more than twenty feet from the dish when working solo. The give up on trying to get a better angle and the game suffers. We spend so much time making the two or three man systems better, that we forget the core. This is where most umpires get their start. We need to make it easier and more enjoyable.

If I read you right, I kind of disagree.

The flaw you seem to point out is not in mechanics, but in sub par and even lazy performance of some umpires. We will never totally eliminate that. That is part training and part initiative and part experience (although at one point, ABUA was talking to fed about uniform training across the country)

The lack of some to perform or having the will to perform correctly should not stop FED from updating mechanics and the CCA is the best way to update. True it is designed for better level of game, but that does not make it unsuitable for lower levels. There is nothing wrong with an umpire getting in a better position.

FED has a reputation for aiming at the lowest common denominator. Improving the prescribed mechanics and raising the bar might not improve the worst among us, but why should the rest be held back?

Not much more they should do.
 

Garth,

They have to aim that low. If they start adding more requirements to the equation, most of those will never get fulfilled. So they lay out very basic things to think about. The CCA Mechanics books realize they are dealing with another level of official and have no problem adding situations and plays to cover. Many times you have to attend clinics or talk to state interpreters or clinicians to get clarification of accepted practices.

This is another reason I think a pregame is vital. The more you go over the easier it is to adapt to different situations.

Peace

Jeff:

My point is that there are a number of umpires who will not or cannot perform mechanics properly, no matter the "system" and I believe that number will reamin consistent whether we improve the system or even make it "easier". (Which usually also degrades it)

I believe we cannot continue to allow the level of umpiring mechanics to be dictated by those who will not use them correctly in any case.

GB

They should be more complex.
 

Now I agree with that.

I still think that you could add all the situations and still have conflict over what they are. Baseball mechanics are not rocket science. They are really easy and usually are based on what happens with the ball. Ball goes here, the umpire goes here and his partner's follow. Compared to other sports baseball does not have a lot of variations to them.

Peace

Garth,

I have seen the CCA materials - they are very good.
Have you ever seen the IHSA materials and how they are composed? I'm not disagreeing with you about the level of commitment to high school athletics or the base quality. However, some of the CCA mechanics rely on officials that have an intimate relationship with the game and work with fairly regular partners. At least in our area, that is a luxury and not common.