Evans 2-man manual
 

Hi fellas,

Who has made the $69 investment on the manual and what are your thoughts?

It's not an investment; it's an expense.

Nothing else comes close. The Redbook and CCA manual both pale in comparison to its completeness.

Depends on how you look at it I guess.

;) ... That's just something that my dad says about stuff that's an expense rather than an investment. This was one of those things.

The Red Book is very good. So is the CCA Manual. The Jim Evans Manual (which I have perused, but not yet obtained) is truly outstanding. But to downgrade the other two to such a degree is not necessary or warranted, nor is it necessary to over-rate the Evans Manual in that manner.

Have not read the book but have attended week-end type clinics where Jim was one of the instructors so think I know what might be in the book

If you think that you learned everything Jim has to teach (even just about 2 umpire mechanics) from a weekend clinic, then you don't know Jim.

I have it... read it twice.

You learn every responsibility you have in every sort of situation (even if the text is sometimes repetitive from chapter to chapter, but hey, its not a novel!)

In fact, I kept it my car during the season so as soon as I got the door closed and the A/C on I could look something up if I wished (not always because it happened during my game, but because it COULD have)

If you want to learn how to work as a crew in non FED mechanics, get it.

If you are one of these FED guys who still covers 3rd on a triple and wants all coverage of line drives in the infield as PU, you may be less then thrilled:p

Exactly what I meant by "complete". Neither the Redbook, nor the CCA manual, which is more complete than the Redbook, come close in the totality of situations presented and "non situation" information.

My first read of the Evans manual reminded me of the what the 700 plus page JEA did for the rulebook.

I guess the bottom line is, yes it is worth a single game fee to have the most comprehensive umpiring guide available. With this topic, you spurred me to follow through and order it, Johnny, so I thank you. I guess I'll have no more spare time in the next couple of weeks after I get it, so I guess I thank you for that, too. ;)

Glad you made the decision on the "investment!" :-)

Just curious
 

If you went to pro school, was it worth the investment?

I was told by Evans that what is covered in the manual is "basically" what's covered in umpire school. I'm not saying nor did he say it replaces Umpire School by any means but for the guys who will never attend the Academy or any of his 1 week camps...this will be an excellent tool for training and development. The comments seem to support it. I would say that even though you attended the academy...a person may have finished at the bottom of the class and would also benefit from the manual...it's never bad to brush up and relearn/review concepts. It also helps to have an authorative document to support local training as well. That's my .02

When I went to the MLB camp that they held on the west coast, I became a better umpire from one minute to the next with some of the stuff those guys showed us. So I can only imagine how enlightening Jim Evans would be hands on. His book--whether or not it's a worthy substitute--is something I'm now looking forward to sinking my teeth into.

Thanks again for spurring me to buy it.

My pleasure...mine will be arriving soon as well.