Apr 13

2024 Umpire Exam

2024 Umpire Exam

16

2024 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2024

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 2024 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

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1 / 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,

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

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

10 / 75

A run is scored when a runner legally advances and touches 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home plate, EXCEPT, if during that action:

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

22 / 75

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

23 / 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. 

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

27 / 75

Which of the following situations would not result in the batter being called out? 

28 / 75

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

29 / 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.

30 / 75

The game begins when :

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

Which members of the offensive team are permitted to be outside the designated bench/warm-up area during play?

33 / 75

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

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 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.

37 / 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.

38 / 75

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

39 / 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:

40 / 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.

41 / 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.

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

Appeals must be made:

49 / 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:

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

55 / 75

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

56 / 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.

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

Runner is caught in a rundown between second and third base. As Runner is attempting to return to second base, he/she is obstructed by Fielder and subsequently tagged while off the base by another Fielder. What does the umpire call?:

59 / 75

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

60 / 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:

61 / 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.

62 / 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:

63 / 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:

64 / 75

An out is awarded on a caught fly ball when it is verified that:

65 / 75

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

66 / 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.

67 / 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.

68 / 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. 

69 / 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?

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is