A book of rule differences
 

There was some chatter last weekend at the MLB 1 day Umpire Camp that someone printed a book or manual that list only the "differences" to the 3 rule books. Apparently it is similar to the NASO chalk talk excercises. Anyone know of this supposed Holy Grail? Thanks in advance.

Klokard,

They might have been referring to Carl Childress's "Baseball Rule Differences" (BRD) which you can acquire here:

http://shop.officiating.com/x/product/brd2006

Carl first published this in 1982 and updated it every season up until 2007. (Don't know why he didn't this past season.)

It's actually much more than "just the differences" - great all-around reference for anyone who wants to understand the rules & interpretations better.

JM

There will be a 2008 edition.

Ump & Garth...Thanks, I do believe that is it. I hope the 2008 edition is available soon. I'm finding it more difficult as I get older to study the NFHS and NCAA books and keep the rules straight. There was some guys saying if you have a handle on the NFHS book and use the BRD Manual you can pass most Conference exams. Do you find this so? Thanks again.

Don't believe everything those MLB guys say, they just think their the best.

Actually some guy named Carl can probably help you out with this. He hangs out somewhere in Texas but I understand he keeps trying to sell his books at eumpire.com. Just an ok writer but, I heard he wasn't to bad of an official, except when his is trying to make up all these new ideas about umpiring.

Anyway, check out the sight but be careful, he will try to rope you into spending money for his "BRD" book.

Good Luck

Good. I'm still holding a $25 credit for membership I would have used on the 2007 edition. I used to buy every even year, but started buying every year for membership credits. I guess I can get back on an even year schedule.

I hope so as there have been numerous rule changes since 2005 in all 3 rule sets!

[QUOTE]I am glad to see a 2008 edition but I do not know if it will be available soon as there are some changes that could take place this year ie; IR and also rumblings about speeding up the game by limiting the number of times B1 can step out of the box and also visits to F1 by his teammates.

FED also has some changes this year.

I do not know about NCAA but there will most likely be changes there as well.

Therefore, it's my guess that the 2008 edition will be available in January / February of the new year. Maybe Officiating.Com will allow one to buy gift certificates for the 2008 edition. It's a good present the kids can give us as it's not that expensive.

Pete Booth