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

2 / 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.

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

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

6 / 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: 

7 / 75

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

8 / 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:

9 / 75

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

10 / 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: 

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

16 / 75

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

17 / 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.

18 / 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.

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 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.

22 / 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.

23 / 75

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

24 / 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.

25 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

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

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

39 / 75

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

40 / 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.

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 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. 

47 / 75

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

48 / 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.

49 / 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.

50 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 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:

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

56 / 75

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

57 / 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.

58 / 75

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

59 / 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.

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 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:

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 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?

68 / 75

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

69 / 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.

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 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:

73 / 75

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

74 / 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.

75 / 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,

Your score is