Transitioning

[MajorDave]

I also recommend the Baseball Rules Differences by Carl Childress. Available from this site. Keep it in your reading room/library that usually contains a lot of porcelain fixtures. Read it daily during your constitutional. When you get to the end start over. When you have a situation that comes up come to this site and do a search and read, read, read. If something hangs you up, ask a question and read all of the replies until you have it. Discuss with more experienced umpires. You should be fine if you already have 12 years of experience. The physical part will be a little tougher. If you aren't in shape, get in shape. The coaches and players expect you to: 1. Know the rules, cold. 2. Be in position and hustle to get there before you make calls. IF you can do that you will be fine.

[jicecone]

Welcome and good luck.

I always found it difficult when doing NCAA and Fed ball at the same time however, it meant more time studying each set of rules and applying accordingly.

As already suggested, learn each set of rules separately and THEN, make the comparisons afterwards. Be thourgh in studying each and DON't learn the rules by heresay. Be stubborn and find the answer for yourself. If others can do it, so can you.

"Baseball Rule Differences" by Childress is a excellent guide but read every manual you can get your hands on and then you can choose what works best for you. It will definitely take time but don't cut corners. I used to pride myself in my rules knowledge. And for sure , no matter how long you been doing this, you can always learn something new.

Don't forget books on game management and mechanics. You just can't read enough. During the season I would carry all my manuals in my car to study before and after games.

Again Good Luck

PS: If you ever do NCAA ball and completely figure out the DH rules, let us all know.

[ManInBlue]

The biggest difference I saw moving to FED is the game management side. There is more intensity in the HS game than in most LL/youth games. Although, I noticed more change in intensity when I moved from rec league to travel ball (USSSA). That move made the move into HS very easy.

I tend to get my rule sets confused. I constantly have to go back into the books after games, discussions, etc. Had an argument yesterday with UIC about the DH rule - I was arguing the NCAA rule was a FED rule. Don't study rule sets as a comparison - read/learn them individually.

Looking to move to NCAA next year - intensity increase again. I plan to spend the winter buried in the NCAA rule book.