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

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

2 / 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.

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

6 / 75

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

7 / 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,

8 / 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. 

9 / 75

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

10 / 75

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

11 / 75

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

12 / 75

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

13 / 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: 

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

19 / 75

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

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

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

22 / 75

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

23 / 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.

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

33 / 75

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

34 / 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.

35 / 75

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

36 / 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:

37 / 75

The game begins when :

38 / 75

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

39 / 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:

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 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. 

43 / 75

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

44 / 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:

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

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

47 / 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:

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 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.

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

55 / 75

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

56 / 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.

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

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

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 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.

70 / 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: 

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

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

73 / 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.

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

Your score is