OBR youth Leagues - Need a case Book

[PeteBooth]

I know some umpires refer to FED rules as FEDlandia or some other colorful metaphors, but at least FED has a CASE book that explains most rulings whether you agree with them or not.

For the most part whenever we get into OBR discussions like the one's we are having recently, the answers are broken down into:

1. Kids who shave

2. Kids that don't shave

Therefore, IMO youth leagues that use OBR should have their own case-book explaining the application of the rules and how it fits THEIR game. Now LL does have a book called the "Right Call" but has not been updated recently.

In OBR we have the experts: JEA, J/R the PBUC and the new WUA and even among the experts there are disagreements. Also, the authoritative opinions expressed by the aforementioned are not for kids that don't shave.

We just finished a thread on this holding the bat over home -plate and while it is a myth, in FED this play is SPELLED out.

It's no wonder youth leagues complain about umpires and their rulings. First off you have untrained umpires trying to apply concepts that were written for the BIG Boys to a 9/10 or 11/12 yr. old game. If there was a Case - Book explaining these situations ala FED, it would make life easier for the novice umpire which one most often gets in the "rug-rat" divisions of youth baseball.

The other recent thread concerned hand-clapping, etc. Again nothing specific in the OBR rule-book on this. The consensus (which BTW I agree with) was it depends upon the ages of the player. College and above leave it alone as it will take care of itself.

Therefore, to me FED should be the rules of choice for amateur athletics that do not want to take the time to have a Case-book explaining THEIR game.

Another one that comes to mind is umpire mistakes or reversal of calls. In OBR for the most part it's tough luck , however, FED has a specific rule addressing this issue that the UIC shall rectify any call that was reversed put either team at a disadvantage.

Therefore, for the most part in discussion various issues using OBR, there are generally 2 answers depending upon the age of the players involved, which makes things difficult when dealing with untrained or the novice umpire. Simplify life and have a Case-book that fits YOUR game.

Pete Booth