1st Post!
My Association is interested in starting a small video/book library for members. I'm wondering about the Baseball Umpires' Guidebooks available from referee.com. For the 3 volumes plus binder that's $80US + postage, or some $140CA.
Before we part with this kind of money we would appreciate hearing from someone who has used this publication (i.e. someone without a vested interest!)
Cheers.

An Investment
 

The three books provided a great level of information on positioning, mechanics and communications for two man and three man systems. Spread among your association it would be a wise investment. The books could be used by newer members to learn about basic mechanics and communication. You could also use the books as starting material for association discussion of mechanics and communications.

I have all three and find that there is just too much information there. I know that sounds strange but most consider the UDP (red book) 2-man umpire's manual the bible on 2-man mechanics. Combine that with the current PBUC manual which covers tons of interps and 3 and 4 man mechanics. Now you have yourself covered in two inexpensive books. The Guidebooks cover almost every possibility for every runner combination and some contradict the to previously mentioned manuals. So, if you don't have 140 loonies (70 toonies) burning a hole in your pocket, I would start out with two books that are used by the pros and many amateur associations.

Just a thought, not a sermon

Buster

I agree with Buster. There are better choices. The Guidebooks are overly verbose and unreasonably expensive. Only those umpires in your organization who are very dedicated will bother to make it beyond page 10.

For the red book that Buster is referring to ($14.50 plus $4 s&h), as well as the PBUC Umpire Manual ($14.95 plus $4 s&h), visit this page:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/p...asp?pageid=387

Thanks
 

Thanks for your help. I'm planning on starting with the two less expensive manuals and see where we might go from there. I'll be in Florida (YES!) for a week in March so will have them mailed to me there.
Cheers!