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

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:

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

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

6 / 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.

7 / 75

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

8 / 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. 

9 / 75

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

10 / 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:

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 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.

16 / 75

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

17 / 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.

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 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.

22 / 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.

23 / 75

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

24 / 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,

25 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 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.

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 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:

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

38 / 75

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

39 / 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.

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 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:

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

54 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

55 / 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: 

56 / 75

The game begins when :

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

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

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 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: 

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 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:

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 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. 

71 / 75

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

72 / 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.

73 / 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?:

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is