Manual of Choice?
 

Fellas,

Our association is thinking of getting an official's manual for everyone in the chapter as the baseline standard for our mechanics. I'm not sure whether to get the PBUC Redbook or CCA manaul as our chapter standard in mechanics.

So, what would be your choice and why?

An Alternative
 

Bossman,

Get a group together in your association and write your own. If you are going to make a manual for your association, truly make it yours.

Why? Because no one system either fits everyone's needs or tastes. So why not put the best of all the major mechanics systems together in a way that works best for your group.

Frankly, as I grow older, I get tired of hearing that "this _________ is the only way to to do things." The idea in umpiring is to get the call right, period. We have so many people and organizations these days who have decided that everything has to be standardized to do things this way.

Nuts. There are multiple ways to umpire a game well, from MiLB to Carl Childress' Mechanics 2000 stuff. It is interesting to note that in plate mechanics, there is a growing consensus for one type of plate stance, but for the top guys, how many slavishly follow that one mechanic? Find what is best for you and use it.

Choosing between the two, I would go with the CCA. Your members are more likely to use those mechanics if/when they advance. Having used them from the start will give them a leg up on those who have not.

If you are a HS organization, I strongly suggest the CCA manual.
If you are a Summer organization, then the PBUC will do just fine.
If you are both (as we are), then CCA is the best way to go (for consistency's sake).

Jim Evans just came out with a new manual also, that just might fit your needs. No, I haven't seen it yet, however it is available on the ABUA as well as his websites.

Jimmy's new one blows the other ones away, however, it is not cost effective if it is something that you are planning to give to every member as it is expensive.

Im a college guy. So the CCA works for me. But I do have the red book and the Blue Book as well. all three are great.

bossman,

I concur with the others who suggest going with the CCA manual if you're going to pick one for the standard for your association.

One of the advantages is that, in addition to 2-man mechanics, it also covers 3, 4, and 6 man mechanics. While 2-man is certainly more common, for some tournaments, HS playoffs, and a lot of college ball uses something other than 2-man.

Personally, I find the diagrams in the CCA manual a little better than the PBUC red book.

You can get a peek at a few pages of the new JEA mechanics manual here:

Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring

A little pricey if you're planning to get one for each member of the association, but I would imagine it is outstanding. I'm hoping Santa brings me one this year.

JM