Apr 4

2023 Umpire Exam

2023 Umpire Exam

45

2023 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2023

This exam is based on the rules/definitions found in the NSF/MSF Softball Rulebook, 4th Edition.

Select the most correct answer. Read the question, and all selections carefully and completely.

If abbreviations or acronyms are used in this exam, F = fielder, B = batter and R = runner.  FP is for fastpitch; MP refers to Modified

The following questions may be applicable for Slowpitch, Fastpitch, and Modified Pitch.
If the rules differ for the three, the first set of questions default to Slowpitch rules.

If you fail to receive a passing score on this test you must retake it by going to the right–hand side of the MSF Umpires page on www.msf1.org and click on 2023 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

Please Login

1 / 75

If an eye/face shield mask or helmet is used in the infield, it can be reflective, as long as it has less than 70% tint.

2 / 75

A batted ball that carries over the outfield fence and strikes the right side of the 1st base side foul pole in flight is:

3 / 75

In FP, A team may use a FLEX/DP option only if they have made it known in the pre-game conference before play has begun.

4 / 75

A base runner establishes their own base path if they are not being played upon.

5 / 75

The Flop Rule can be invoked if any of the following occur, EXCEPT:

6 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

7 / 75

If a runner runs in front of a fielder or outside a base path to avoid interfering with an infielder making an initial play on a batted ball,

8 / 75

If you can hear thunder in the distance, you are in jeopardy of being struck by lightning.

9 / 75

If the catcher accidentally bumps the batter's bat as they are swinging at a pitch, and the batted ball subsequently is a ground ball to the infield:

10 / 75

If the ball is thrown out of play by an infielder, with a runner between 2nd and 3rd and the batter-runner not yet to 1st base, the umpire should award:

11 / 75

In NSF-MSF Postseason Tournament Play, players may be added to the scorecard/lineup after the first pitch is thrown.

12 / 75

A Runner is obstructed by a defensive player and then remaining on their feet maliciously crashes into a defensive player

13 / 75

For obstruction to be called on the fielding team (defense) there must be the contact of some kind.

14 / 75

When a coach makes a substitution during a game, the home plate umpire should report the substitution to:

15 / 75

A verbal or physical act by an offensive player to hinder or confuse a defensive player is:

16 / 75

The pitcher may pitch the ball between the legs as long as it is in continuous motion.

17 / 75

At the time of the pitch, all defensive players must be in fair territory.

18 / 75

Players found to be using altered, illegal, or banned bats will be:

19 / 75

A Runner is at second base. Batter hits a ground ball to an infielder who throws to first base. Batter-runner touches only the white portion and collides with Fielder who is standing on the white portion about to receive the ball. The correct ruling is:

20 / 75

Concussion training is required for all umpires who umpire games in which players are < 21.

21 / 75

In youth FP, a batting helmet shall be worn by offensive personnel while:

22 / 75

Caps, visors, scarves, and headbands are optional and not considered part of the player's uniform.  They may be any color or style and can be worn forward or backward. 

23 / 75

In FP, 2 complete revolutions of the arm are allowed for a legal pitch.

24 / 75

The batter-runner or runner may touch either the white or colored portion of double 1st base when advancing on a fair ball hit to the outfield when there is no play attempted at first base.

25 / 75

A runner must always slide to avoid contact at home plate.

26 / 75

All Youth FP batting helmets must be affixed with a NOCSAE approved face protector.

27 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

28 / 75

Runner is on first base with one out.  Batter hits a long fly ball to left field. The ball is over foul territory when first touched and is dropped by Fielder. On the fly ball, Runner touched second base and was moving to third as the ball was dropped. Runner shall: 

29 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

30 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

31 / 75

The defense or batter-runner may NOT use either color of a double 1st base when:

32 / 75

A runner is on first base when Batter hits a ground ball. Runner stays in the base path and crashes into Fielder, as they are attempting to gain control of the batted ball in the base path.

33 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

34 / 75

A runner is struck with a fair batted ball they attempted to avoid while touching a base,

35 / 75

Any player showing signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by the umpire.

36 / 75

For a foul ball to be caught by the catcher for an out it must travel above the batter's head.

37 / 75

Players from either team may warm up in the opposing team’s on-deck circle.

38 / 75

In FP, an intentional walk requires all pitches to be delivered to the batter.

39 / 75

For FP and MP, If a pitch touches a batters clothing,

40 / 75

If the courtesy runner’s time to bat comes when they are on base:

41 / 75

The score for a forfeited game, with play never started, is recorded as:

42 / 75

Bases are loaded with two outs. Batter hits a fly ball that lands in left-center field. Runner tries to score from first base. Which of the following timing play statements are applied correctly?

43 / 75

The umpire signals that play is ready, and the pitcher has the ball in position to pitch, the batter

44 / 75

In the top half of the third inning with two outs, it is discovered that the pitcher's plate is set at the wrong distance. 

45 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

46 / 75

In slowpitch, 1 pitch must be thrown before the batter can be awarded an intentional walk by the defense.

47 / 75

A “drag bunt” is not allowed in FP or MP, only in Slowpitch  .

48 / 75

Appeals must be made:

49 / 75

A runner intentionally interferes with a defensive players ability to complete a double play:

50 / 75

A pitcher must do all of the following prior to delivering a legal pitch in slowpitch, EXCEPT:

51 / 75

The pitcher shall release the ball within 5 seconds of either receiving the ball or the umpire saying Play Ball, or it is considered an illegal pitch.

52 / 75

The batter’s box is 4’6” wide by 6’6” long.

53 / 75

If a batter hits a pitched ball with an altered bat, it is considered an “illegally batted ball”.

54 / 75

The game begins when :

55 / 75

If a defensive player attempts a fake tag on a runner they should be called out.

56 / 75

Interference is committed by the team at bat (offense) and may be either physical or verbal.

57 / 75

The pitcher may deliver a pitch from the glove, as long as it is a continuous forward motion.

58 / 75

A runner starts at 1st base and overruns second base on a hit by the batter-runner. In the ensuing rundown, both runners end up on second base. A fielder tags both runners with the ball. The correct ruling is:

59 / 75

A runner, while not in contact with a base, is struck with a fair untouched batted ball that a fielder could have made a play on. An OUT is called.

60 / 75

All of the following are true regarding the catcher's box, EXCEPT:

61 / 75

A substitute may enter the game without reporting, as long as they are properly listed on the scorecard.

62 / 75

In FP, If a ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery, it is:

63 / 75

If an fielder intentionally catches a fair batted ball just past the infield, with their cap or detached glove:

64 / 75

An umpire’s decision involving judgement may be questioned by the manager of the home team.

65 / 75

If the ball becomes Blocked due to offensive equipment not involved in the game, the ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base from the last base touched prior to the ball being blocked.

66 / 75

If a coach or other player physically assists a runner during play, the result is:

67 / 75

If there is reasonable doubt as to the interpretation of a rule by an umpire, the managers from either team may:

68 / 75

The batter hits a ground ball to the pitcher. The batter starts to run, but seeing the pitcher in a position to tag them, takes 1 step back towards home to avoid the tag, then reaches 1st base before the throw.

69 / 75

If a runner dislodges a base while sliding, they are required to follow the base and remain in contact with it, to avoid being tagged out.

70 / 75

Players may not wear dangerous jewelry or a uniform containing dangerous or reflective ornaments unless authorized by the team manager.

71 / 75

A runner must return to the last base legally occupied, when

72 / 75

If there are 2 or more umpires on a game, the Home Plate umpire is responsible for which of these:

73 / 75

If  runner1 passes  another preceding runner2 who has not been obstructed or put out:

74 / 75

An interpretation of an umpires call may be requested by the manager of either team playing.

75 / 75

An umpire is required to review video on a close call, if either team offers a recording.

Your score is