Mar 29

2025 Umpire Exam

2025 Umpire Exam

12

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

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

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 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.

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

10 / 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. 

11 / 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:

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

14 / 75

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

15 / 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.

16 / 75

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

17 / 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.

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 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.

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

27 / 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:

28 / 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?

29 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

30 / 75

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

31 / 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,

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

37 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

38 / 75

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

39 / 75

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

40 / 75

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

41 / 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.

42 / 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.

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 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:

49 / 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. 

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

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

56 / 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:

57 / 75

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

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

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

Appeals must be made:

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 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: 

68 / 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: 

69 / 75

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

70 / 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.

71 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

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

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.

74 / 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.

75 / 75

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

Your score is