Mar 29

2025 Umpire Exam

2025 Umpire Exam

14

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

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

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 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.

9 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

10 / 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:

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 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:

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 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.

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

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

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 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.

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 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.

29 / 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: 

30 / 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.

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 75

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

39 / 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.

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

46 / 75

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

47 / 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.

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 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.

53 / 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:

54 / 75

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

55 / 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.

56 / 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.

57 / 75

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

58 / 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:

59 / 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.

60 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 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.

64 / 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?

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 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. 

68 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

69 / 75

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

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

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

73 / 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:

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is