Apr 13

2024 Umpire Exam

2024 Umpire Exam

29

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

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: 

2 / 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:

3 / 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?

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

9 / 75

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

10 / 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.

11 / 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:

12 / 75

The ball becomes dead in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

Appeals must be made:

20 / 75

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

21 / 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: 

22 / 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:

23 / 75

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

24 / 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.

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

A runner is not required to run in a direct path to a base if a fielder in the direct line does not have the ball and is not attempting to make a play on the runner.

28 / 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.

29 / 75

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

30 / 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. 

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 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.

35 / 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.

36 / 75

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

37 / 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.

38 / 75

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

39 / 75

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

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 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:

56 / 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?:

57 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

58 / 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.

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 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:

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

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

75 / 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.

Your score is