OK Carl I'll fess up.

[rex]

That is I done broke down and bought the BRD. I haven't had it all that long but it is as you've said very worth while. But man I just spotted something that blows me away.

Section 456

That is against everything I've ever been told. The people that are supposed to know what it's all about have always told me never, never, never. Yet you have chapter and verse that says Oh yes you should.

Am I missing something? Is it timing? Presentation? The need to know? Is it just one of those things that was writing at the beginning of time and never removed? What's the use in having it if you not supposed to use it?

You'll note I haven't mentioned what 456 is all about. Perhaps if you decide to answer this post without saying what we're talking about. It may key enough interest in Pete to break down and spend the $20. Those that have the BRD have already looked it up.


rex

[David B]

Rex,

It might help some of us though, because different versions of the BRD have different numbers.

Mine is 1996 I think but it's not always the same numbering system as have been suggested from time to time on the boards when referring to the BRD.

I'm waiting on the new one to get a refresher book.

Thanks
D. Blackwell

[Carl Childress]

quote:

---

Originally posted by David B:
Rex,

It might help some of us though, because different versions of the BRD have different numbers.

Mine is 1996 I think but it's not always the same numbering system as have been suggested from time to time on the boards when referring to the BRD.

I'm waiting on the new one to get a refresher book.

Thanks
D. Blackwell

---

David:

The topic is covered in Section #442 in your edition of the BRD.

Tee, hee.



------------------
Papa C
Editor, eUmpire

[Carl Childress]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rex:
That is I done broke down and bought the BRD. I haven't had it all that long but it is as you've said very worth while. But man I just spotted something that blows me away.

Section 456

That is against everything I've ever been told. The people that are supposed to know what it's all about have always told me never, never, never. Yet you have chapter and verse that says Oh yes you should.

Am I missing something? Is it timing? Presentation? The need to know? Is it just one of those things that was writing at the beginning of time and never removed? What's the use in having it if you not supposed to use it?

You'll note I haven't mentioned what 456 is all about. Perhaps if you decide to answer this post without saying what we're talking about. It may key enough interest in Pete to break down and spend the $20. Those that have the BRD have already looked it up.


rex

---

The subject is: Should the umpire carry a rulebook onto the field?

Rex alludes to the fact that he has been told "never, never, never" to do that. Most associations, senior umpires, clinicians, trainers, etc., agree. Leave your book in your bag, they say in total unanimity.

Except:

(The NCAA requires that the umpires have a rule book at the game site. 3-b1 Nt) That must mean they think an umpire should consult it if he feels the need. He often feels the need when a DH question comes up.

In the BRD for the PRO "rule" I simply quote the case book "General Instructions to Umpire" that follows 9.05. For those who may not have a rulebook handy, here is the exact language of the OBR:

"Carry your rule book. It is better to consult the rules and hold up the game ten minutes to decide a knotty problem than to have a game thrown out on protest and replayed."

I would say that's pretty conclusive, and it means that august group who say otherwise are just flat wrong!

However:

Rex wants to know if that was written so long ago that nobody will bother to take it out of the book even though nobody pays any attention to it.

Rex: I don't know if you consider the time that was written to be "long ago." I don't. That "Instruction" was added to the book during the rewrite of 1950. Since I was already shaving then, it seems only yesterday to me.

I have always recommended that volunteer amateur umpires carry a rule book with them. The teams deserve to have the game decided on its merits, not by the rules' mistakes of "lightly" trained officials.

I do not think such umpires should allow a coach to come storming out, pointing to a passage in the book. In most places that's an automatic ejection -- and should be.

Each League UIC should set up guidelines for how a rules error gets corrected short of replaying the game after an upheld protest.

Remember, finally, Rex:

The "General Instructions" is not a rule; it's a comment in italics, which means it's a part of the case book. Case book interpretations change over the years. Jim Evans thinks so little of the passage that in his book he simply ignores it in his commentary.

You do what your association tells you to do. Then, if you'd like to work to have a policy set up whereby the book is consulted during discussion of a "knotty problem," then I would commend you for that.

------------------
Papa C
Editor, eUmpire

[PeteBooth]

Rex I have bought the BRD and it is very useful. However, I leave that book at home with all my other materials. I mainly post and respond to threads at work that's why I sometimes I do not have the correct passage or verbiage from the literature.

As I responded to Charly B below, many of these things that we learn here have to be slowly introduced to the associations we belong to.

Basically, I am a "rookie" to when it comes to HS and upper Ball. I have been in the HS association for 3 yrs. now and from my limited experience, change is slow.
Also, because of work schedule, my HS availability (the games start at approx 4 - 4:30 in the afternoon), is not as great as some of the other members.

Most of my experience is from Summer Ball where games are played at night and on the weekends and therefore, my availability is greatly increased.

While I have been able to incorporate some things from what I've learned here, others will take time.

If you want work - do what your association wants. The more work we get, the more experience we gain.

As far as carrying the rule book - I've been told UNDER NO UNCERTAIN TERMS - DO NOT CARRY IT ON THE FIELD.

I always have it available in my car but NEVER on the field. I also, keep a notebook for those things that happen "once in a lifetime" so I am better prepared the next time.

Pete Booth

[Jim Porter]

Throughout my entire career, I don't believe I have ever heard anyone require (or even recommend) that umpires should not carry a rulebook on the field. I don't doubt that it happens, just not here.

Instead, around here, when someone tells you not to carry a rulebook, what they really mean is that it shouldn't be sticking out of your back pocket for the world to see. That can get you into trouble. From coaches who will enter the field and ask you to look it up, to spectators and hecklers who aren't happy with your calls, that little book sticking out of your back pocket can be a load of troubles.

Work as a crew and ask the plate umpire to carry a book in his bag, as Garth suggests. Find some way to have it on the field without everyone being able to see it.

When something bizarre happens, there is no shame in looking it up. When something bizarre happens, there is shame in not having a book and getting your decision wrong.

Sincerely,
Jim Porter