Apr 6

2026 Umpire Exam

2026 Umpire Exam

2

2026 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2026

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 2026 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

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1 / 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?:

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 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:

6 / 75

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

7 / 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:

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

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

10 / 75

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

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 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: 

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 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.

38 / 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:

39 / 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.

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

44 / 75

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

45 / 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.

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 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,

56 / 75

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

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

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

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

63 / 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.

64 / 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.

65 / 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.

66 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

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

73 / 75

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

74 / 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:

75 / 75

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

Your score is