Learning the Rule Book

[aschramm]

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).

[Kevin Finnerty]

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

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by aschramm

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).

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.)

[aschramm]

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.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by aschramm

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.

[RPatrino]

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.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by mbyron

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

Both the rule book and case book are available.

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.

[johnnyg08]

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.

[Tim C]

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

Regards,

[PeteBooth]

I do not read the OBR rule book because there are some 230 or known errors in it to begin with. Also, it is poorly writen and poorly indexed. I simply use the OBR rule book as a reference then use my J/R manual to understand the rules.

I echo Bob J. When learning FED or NCAA rules learn them SEPARATELY. Do not try and Co-mingle them or it will drive you nuts.

Also, IMO the best way to learn the rules is by actual practice. Just like many things in life there are books and then there is actual practice. To learn FED rules not only do you need to read the Rule / case book but you also need to umpire in leagues that use those rules ala HS and some travel leagues that adopt FED rules.

All in all from my experience most amateur leagues / are a hybrid so IMO, it's important to have Carl Childress's BRD (baseball rule differences) handy.

Example:

American Legion baseball is OBR based EXCEPT.

American Legion uses the Collegiate Collision rule and FPSR. FWIW Thank GOD they do not use the NCAA DH rule.

In summary: Learn each code separately, umpire in leagues that use those rules. Keep a BRD handy.

Pete Booth

[johnnyg08]

When you umpire...remmeber all types of plays and if you're ever unsure of your call or your partner's call, look the play up in the parking lot so it's fresh in your mind. Learn from your errors and never stop trying to improve.