How to Improve As An Umpire During the Off-Season

My season just ended here in the Midwest and it is time to settle in for the fall and enjoy the upcoming holidays. For ol’ Pete there is nothing better than using this time for umpire study. So for this article I want to give the aspiring umpire a suggested reading list for the off-season.

The Official Rules of Major League Baseball
This book is the bible of our sport. It is the mother of all other baseball rulebooks. But who actually reads it? You! You should read it! Once you know the rules of professional baseball, learning any other baseball rulebook is simply a matter of learning the differences. Read a couple rules each day. It is only a couple hundred pages and it will help you more than any other book in learning the rules. Make it a goal this season to read it cover to cover.

The Official Rules of Major League Baseball can be purchased for $10.00 from Jim Evans' store or from Amazon.

The Rules of Professional Baseball: A Comprehensive Reorganization and Interpretation by Chris Jaksa and Rick Roder

The rules of professional baseball are poorly written and full of contradictions. The Rules of Professional Baseball is a recognized authority in the interpretation of the rules and will help you understand the complexities of the rules. This book requires study and a commitment from its reader. However, what you get back from your effort is a better understanding of how and when the rules should be enforced.

The Rules of Professional Baseball: A Comprehensive Reorganization and Interpretation can be purchased for $39.95 from the ABUA Website

Maximizing the Two Umpire System by Jim Evans and Dick Nelson
As reviewed here, I think that Maximizing the Two Umpire System is a treasure of umpire literature. The two umpire system is umpiring mechanics for every level except high minor leagues, major leagues, and Division I NCAA. Read this book cover to cover and you will learn the two man system. Of course, there is no substitute for on the field experience, but study of the mechanics and responsibilities of umpiring will put you head and shoulders above your peers.

Maximizing the Two Umpire System can be purchased for $69.95 from Jim Evans' store.

If you read these books during the off-season, I guarantee that you will be a better umpire.

And now a word from our sponsor. . .
Need to learn the rules? We all need to study the rules. Midwest Ump and Umpire-Empire have jointly developed the Baseball Rules Seminar. This on-line seminar studies the rules of professional baseball and provides a solid foundation for understanding baseball rules. The Baseball Rules Seminar is currently offered an introductory rate of $99 for the eight week seminar. Check it out!