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

Which statements about bats are correct?

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 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.

8 / 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.

9 / 75

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

10 / 75

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

11 / 75

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

12 / 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?

13 / 75

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

14 / 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:

15 / 75

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

16 / 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. 

17 / 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.

18 / 75

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

19 / 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:

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

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

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 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: 

32 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

33 / 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.

34 / 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?:

35 / 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.

36 / 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.

37 / 75

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

38 / 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.

39 / 75

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

40 / 75

Appeals must be made:

41 / 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.

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

46 / 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.

47 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

48 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

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

56 / 75

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

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

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

59 / 75

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

60 / 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,

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

65 / 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: 

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 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.

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is