Light at the End of the Tunnel.

Just finished backloading the 17,430 word NFHS Baseball Rules in Black and White manuscript into the Content Management System or CMS for our Baseball Rules in Black and White App. One down two manuscripts to go.

Next will be our 14,736 word Official Baseball Rules in Black and White Manuscript, it will also be translated into Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. By translating into additional languages this raises the OBR word count to 58,944.

After these daunting tasks I will finish with the endeavor by including our18,749 word NCAA Baseball Rules in Black and White manuscript.

As you can tell it is a lot of work in progress, but our beta app will be launched very soon and all the effort and time spent will become an awesome reality. 

If you'd like to see our prototype for our beta, click here.

Want more information about Baseball Rules in Black and White and our App, click here.

App Prototype, Baseball Rules in Black and White

Baseball Rules in Black and White now has a prototype for our app.  The prototype is a window into a fantastic technological achievement that will soon be coming to the global baseball community.

While at this moment the prototype is not fully functional, it does allow users to experience the amazing speed, that with a few touches of the screen you can find an exact or related baseball ruling you seek.

Click a language, a rule set OBR, NCAA or NFHS, a rule topic, a rule category or related ruling and you’re there. Four to five touches of your screen and a confusing ruling on the baseball field can be quickly found, easily and correctly explained.  In addition, videos of infractions are provided for the more complex rulings as well.

We are extremely proud that a fully functional Baseball Rules in Black and White beta app is coming in weeks. Until then you can click on any of the above highlighted links and witness a technological achievement for the rules of baseball and enjoy our prototype.

Best Regards,

Jim Bettencourt

Baseball Rules in Black and White LLC, President

Baseball Rules in Black and White App

We are pleased to announce that Baseball Rules in Black and White is quickly progressing through the many challenging steps required in building an app. 

The substantial and creative benefits provided by our innovative app are key to the many successes that have been accomplished to date. 

Baseball Rules in Black and White is committed to evolving and improving. Our 2020 app is another perfect example of that promise. 

Sincerely, 

Jim Bettencourt

President, Baseball Rules in Black and White LLC

Effective Resources Exist

William J Hart, 5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect complement to the NFHS Rules. April 2, 2019, Format: Paperback Verified Purchase. This book is a great supplement to the NFHS rules. You wouldn't navigate the seas without a map and or compass. Rule's in Black and White helps you navigate the rules. The print is BIG and enough space to write notes on the pages. The rules in simple to read format. The rule number resides with each infraction in alphabetical order. Looking for BALK,look up B for Balk. Then the ruling definition and rule number. Its thats easy. Rules in B&W needs to be in your umpire arsenal.

Greg Xepoleas, 5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource! March 28, 2019, Format: Paperback Verified Purchase. Another great item to add to the toolbelt. The baseball umpire community is always seeking resources to assist with rules interpretations and applications at all levels of the game...…. and this is a great tool. This book serves as an invaluable supplement to the NFHS rule book. The format and presentation allows for a convenient and easy-to-understand application and interpretation of the most frequently encountered rules and situations. Well worth the investment!

Umpires Friend or Foe

First game of the year I was umpiring the bases. At the completion of the top half of the first inning I approached the pitcher as he was walking off the diamond.  I wanted to let him know from the set when he came to a stop, his glove was above his chin and that is considered a balk in high school baseball. 

This is one balk seldom called, but rather than a pitcher not knowing and having a balk called on him in a playoff game, this was a perfect non-league game to help educate a player. The player thanked me and went to the dugout.

The bottom of the first inning now with the visiting pitcher on the mound, from the set he also had his glove above his chin when he came to a stop.  At the end of the inning I repeated the same information in the same manner to the pitcher but with just the opposite effect.

This pitcher became defensive and was not receptive. Soon I see his head coach approaching and asks what is going on. I informed him what his pitcher was doing wrong and let him know I was simply providing rule information. The coach first asked, “When did this become a rule?” As we parted, it was clear he was upset that I had even brought this rule to their attention.

One inning later I’m in the A position as the base assistant coach approaches and immediately begins a loud negative assault at me related to me providing information. I immediately shut him down without an ejection and with no further comments throughout the remainder of the game.

This umpire’s afterthoughts:  1. I should have told the head coach I had previously given the other pitcher the same information. This may or may not have reduced his concerns. 2. In this instance, I experienced small grief for providing what I thought would be helpful information. As umpires we are trained to limit information, for this very reason. 3. As umpires and coaches when we are quick to pre-judge or assume the worst, we can miss opportunities to become better.

Jim Bettencourt, NCOA, RCOA, Baseball Rules in Black and White

Baseball Rules in Black and White, what we don’t do.

Baseball Rules in Black and White does not scatter pertinent rule information and randomly hide it throughout a chapter or the entire book. We do not offer the reader bits and pieces of a ruling, as though only a portion of a ruling is what we need in a game. Instead we provide rulings that include related sub-rulings, from the time of the infraction until play has stopped.

Baseball Rules in Black and White does not provide every single rule in baseball and for very good reasons. We believe focusing on the most frequently called infractions umpires see throughout a game, season after season should be our priority. These are the infractions we must rule correctly most often, not the stitch count of the baseball.

Baseball Rules in Black and White’s books do not cause you to spend your valuable time flipping pages searching for hidden, scattered or partial rules in confusing language in tiny font. Instead we have taken obscure rule book language and random formatting and converted it into a structured format, with easy to read basic English sentences.

You’re going to spend your valuable time searching and flipping pages anyway, instead try studying, retaining and correctly applying the most frequently called rules with Baseball Rules in Black and White.

Baseball Umpires Young and Old Benefit

Take a time and listen to what Billy Haze CWS umpire knows, that beginner or veteran every umpire can benefit from

Baseball Rule in Black and White