Mar 29

2025 Umpire Exam

2025 Umpire Exam

19

2025 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2025

This exam is based on the rules/definitions found in the NSF/MSF Softball Rulebook, 5th 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 2025 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

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1 / 75

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

2 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

3 / 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: 

4 / 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.

5 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

6 / 75

The game begins when :

7 / 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.

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

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

10 / 75

Appeals must be made:

11 / 75

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

12 / 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.

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

15 / 75

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

16 / 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.

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 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?

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

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

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

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

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 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,

39 / 75

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

40 / 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:

41 / 75

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

42 / 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. 

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 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.

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 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:

53 / 75

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

54 / 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. 

55 / 75

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

56 / 75

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

57 / 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.

58 / 75

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

59 / 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.

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

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

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.

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

A fair batted ball rolls or bounces through a hole in the outfield fence. The umpire should:

66 / 75

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

67 / 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.

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 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.

71 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

72 / 75

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

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

75 / 75

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

Your score is