Learning the Rule Book
 

Just curious as to how everyone reads their rulebook, and how to learn from it most effectively? When I started two years ago I started going from cover to cover, but am thinking that might not be the best way. Any advice is welcome.

Thanks!

(If it matters, FED rulebook, casebook, and manual).

I make a 8.5 x 11 copy of the NCAA, FED, OBR or any rulebook I need to learn and put it in a binder with sheet protectors. I find it a great deal easier to absorb in that format than those little rulebooks.

For on-the-road reference, I guess those little ones are more handy, but as far as home library reading and highlighting go, the download-and-print-and-bind method is the way to go. You will be able to read it for longer periods of time this way. It's somewhat of a hassle, but once you have these binders all set up, it's fabulous. (The NCAA one's the easiest--they want you to have their rules; the two others have to be opened and downloaded a section at a time.)

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uplo...6a642aa8eb.pdf

Official Rules | MLB.com: Official info

Step 1: Forget what you "know" about baseball and umpiring.

Step 2: Start with the rules definitions.

Step 3: Read the case book definitions and follow up on any cases you don't get right.

Step 4: Read the rest of the case book, skipping the "playing field" and much of the "scoring" section (in FED, the first, iirc, section of scoring is important.)

Does anyone have a copy of FED rules in .pdf version? I have heard you can download them through the NFHS website, but am unsure where to find them there.

Log in. In the menu at right, choose "Publications Library." Select "Rules Information," then "Baseball."

Both the rule book and case book are available.

Don't forget, the true measure of an umpire is not how many rules he knows, its how he applies the rules he does know in the heat of a game. There are many arcane, hardly ever used rules all codes, and it pays to read all of them. The facts are that some you will never have to use at all, others you will use in every game. There are a few that always will bite you in the butt if you are the least bit unsure, those being in my opinion ( others will hopefully add more to the list):
- Dead ball awards
- Pitching regulations
- Batting out of order
- Substitutions
- Obstruction/Interference
- Force Play Slide Rules
- DH rules

Again, there is no substitute for learning umpiring on the field. Memorization of rules with no link to real life situations on the field will not help you. Don't be a rule book umpire, be an umpire with solid mechanics and field presence who has a solid grasp of the rules and how to apply them.

Good advice- as long as you've taken these first two steps before trying to follow that advice:

1) Become a paid member of the NFHS.

2) Register with their web site.

If you haven't paid their annual dues, you can't register. If you haven't registered, you can't log in to access the rule books.

You might already be a member and not realize it if you officiate any high school sports. The NFHS annual membership fee is often part of the fees you pay to renew your officiating permits. That's not the case in all states, but it is in many of them.

What's nice about the pdf's is that they're fully searchable...if you need to find something quickly...the search feature is nice...it's good for quoting rules if you don't have them memorized and you're a person that people email for rules and interpretations of plays that they see...whenever I respond to an email from one of our members, I try to always quote the page number, rule number, or case play regarding the play they're using...yes, they should be looking on their own, but reality says that doesn't work.

I think you're receiving some great advice here...I like the page protector/binder idea.

When you go to 8.5x11 pages do you enlarge the print or just print them as they are?

Thanks.

Rules By Topic is a fairly good supplemental book on FED rules.

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Thanks for the answers everyone, I am receiving many good tips.

Looks like I will have to pay NFHS to get a downloadable copy though.

I agree that pure memorization doesn't help if you don't have situations to relate it to. I noticed that last winter when I started reviewing again that it was alot easier to picture things with a year of experience down, and am sure it will be even better this year.

Oh, and don't forget to keep your copy of the BRD handy when reviewing different codes. The BRD makes if much easier for me when I am switching between OBR and other rules sets.

Just an opinion
 

If an umpire becomes and expert on Batting Out of Order and the NCAA Designated Hitter rule all else will become second nature.

Regards,

While I agree that it's a good reference, if one is just trying to learn FED rules (or any other single set), I find it easier to "forget" the other codes and just concentrate on the one. Learn each individually before trying to remember the differences.

I reread my most-used rulebooks straight through in digestible chunks every January/February. I use color-coded highlighting, but everyone has their own learning style.

More importantly, after my games, I review the rules covering all plays that I have any question about and think about how I would explain my call in 25 words or less. I do the same thing with sitches on this forum.

The BRD (Baseball Rule Differences) really helps to highlight nuances. (Wish it had a better TOC and index.)

Find an association AND a buddy or two and wade through the books together regularly. You'll get different slants on interps and situations.
Pick up on situations you see on this forum and read related rules and case book entries - it'll get you in the habit of "looking stuff up".
REMEMBER! DON'T STOP LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER JUST BECAUSE YOU FIND ONE!!!!!

JJ