J/R Manual

[JRutledge]

It really depends on what levels you work. I only work NF and NCAA Rules games for the most part. If I work an OBR game it is once a year and this year I did not work that particular tournament. I personally see not extra value in buying this book. I only know a very few that use that book and they know the rules a lot better than most. It really comes down to if you think you need this book to better learn the rules. I do not see the need personally, but just like anything this comes down to if you feel this book is helpful to you. I put this in the category as to what shoes you buy. The brand you like is not necessarily the brand I will like.

Peace

[SAump]

I agree with every post on the subject above. I love the BRD. I like J/R too. Of course, that may be why I found this website first, got turned onto the BRD, and eventually made my way over to J/R. One doesn't replace the others.

I find JR to be "friendly" reading material. The situations provided help you understand the meaning of the rule being discussed. It is a stand-alone type of material designed to help you interpret the rules correctly before you take the field.

I find the BRD to be a "cross-reference" type of reading material. When you lay the BRD side by side w/ the rule books, you begin to understand nuances among the rule codes. When situations vary among codes, it may supply a reason supporting why the differences exist in the first place. One cannot over emphasize "no provision" or "same as" enough. IOW, although BRD targets the rule differences, it also builds upon common rule adoptions not explicitly stated among the rule codes.

[johnnyg08]

This is great guys...keep 'em coming...unless all of the posters have pretty much summed it up!

[chuckfan1]

The BRD and the J/R are two essential manuals all umpires should have. Yes the J/R is worth it. Nice resource to get examples of plays, situations. Very much a real world based book. The plays given as examples are ones you might see. Yes, there are a few "third-world" plays in there, but not as many as the BRD.
Go to Rulesofbaseball.com you can view free some of the content of the J/R.
That might help you decide. But its $40 , well invested.