Preparing for the new season

[Andy]

Like Scott, I am in a location where the ASA "season" is almost year-round. I use ASA as my "foundation" rule-set.

As January/February roll around, I start studying and re-familiarizing my self with NFHS and NCAA rules. My method is to study the rule changes for each set then review the differences between NCAA, NFHS, and ASA.

During the spring, as part of my pre-game, I will focus on the particular ruleset I am calling that day. For example...today I am calling under NCAA rules, the differences between ASA and NCAA are......

The one thing I try to do every year is read and review the specific rules pertaining to situations that don't come up very often, but when they do, you better know how to handle them. Examples are batting out of order and unreported/illegal substitutions.

I tend to study the rulebooks more than the casebooks, for me, I feel that if I have mastered the rule, I can apply it on the field.