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

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

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

The game begins when :

5 / 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:

6 / 75

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

7 / 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.

8 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

9 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

10 / 75

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

11 / 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:

12 / 75

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

13 / 75

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

14 / 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: 

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

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

20 / 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,

21 / 75

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

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

Which of the following are NOT appealable plays?

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 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:

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 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.

32 / 75

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

33 / 75

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

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 75

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

39 / 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.

40 / 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?

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

43 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

44 / 75

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

45 / 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.

46 / 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:

47 / 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.

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 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: 

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

Appeals must be made:

56 / 75

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

57 / 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. 

58 / 75

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

59 / 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.

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 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.

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 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.

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 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.

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

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

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is