Apr 4

2023 Umpire Exam

2023 Umpire Exam

39

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.

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1 / 75

In FP, a No Pitch is called if the pitcher attempts a quick return of the ball before the batter has taken a position in the batter’s box or if the batter is off-balance.

2 / 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.

3 / 75

If an illegal pitch is called and the batter doesn’t swing:

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

Batter hits a ground ball to the infield. Two fielders attempt to make a play on the ball and collide, with one of them collapsing with an apparent serious injury. The umpire should: 

6 / 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:

7 / 75

If a fair batted ball strikes an umpire before passing a fielder other than pitcher:

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

In Slowpitch, On a fair batted ball hit over the outfield fence without being touched, the batter

10 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 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:

18 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

In FP, Which of the following would be an illegal pitch?

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 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.

25 / 75

The game begins when :

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

There is a play at 1st Base on a fair batted ball. The batter-runner beats the throw by 2 steps and touches only the white portion of the double-base. The defensive player controls the ball and touches the white portion of the base.

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

Adult Slowpitch pitchers are allowed to take a position up to 6 feet directly behind the pitching plate, as they initiate a pitch.

30 / 75

The batter is called out, if any coach or member of the offensive team, except a runner, interferes with a fielder attempting to catch a fly ball in foul territory.

31 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 75

An infield fly may be called by the umpire in which situation:

35 / 75

A team may use the DP / Flex option provided they follow which of the below rules?  

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 75

If a pitched ball passes through the strike zone and strikes the plate

39 / 75

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

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

A batter can be assessed a penalty strike if they intentionally delay the game.

46 / 75

The correct pitching distance for Men’s or Women’s Adult slowpitch is:

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 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,

50 / 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:

51 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

Once play is suspended due to a thunderstorm, A good rule to follow is to wait at least 30 minutes following the last lightning seen or last thunder heard before resuming play.

54 / 75

An umpire may only use smokeless tobacco when they are the field or base umpire.

55 / 75

Each team may use only 1 courtesy runner per ½ inning.

56 / 75

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

57 / 75

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

58 / 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.

59 / 75

For MP, Which of the following is true for a legal delivery:

60 / 75

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

61 / 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.

62 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

The batter hits a high fly ball down the line to right field. Fielder, with both feet clearly in fair territory, reaches across the foul line in an attempt to catch the ball. While the ball is still in the air, completely over foul ground, the ball deflects off of Fielder’s glove and lands in fair territory. The correct call is:

66 / 75

The entire pitched ball must pass completely through the strike zone to be considered a strike.

67 / 75

Appeals must be made:

68 / 75

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

69 / 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. 

70 / 75

A runner is struck with a fair batted ball they were unable to avoid, after the ball was deflected by a defensive player

71 / 75

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

72 / 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.

73 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

Your score is