Apr 4

2023 Umpire Exam

2023 Umpire Exam

45

2023 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2023

This exam is based on the rules/definitions found in the NSF/MSF Softball Rulebook, 4th 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 2023 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

Please Login

1 / 75

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

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

The game begins when :

4 / 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.

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

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

10 / 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?

11 / 75

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

12 / 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.

13 / 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.

14 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 75

Appeals must be made:

18 / 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.

19 / 75

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

20 / 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.

21 / 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:

22 / 75

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

23 / 75

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

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 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.

28 / 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.

29 / 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:

30 / 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,

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

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

33 / 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. 

34 / 75

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

35 / 75

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

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

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

38 / 75

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

39 / 75

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

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

45 / 75

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

46 / 75

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

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 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. 

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

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

56 / 75

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

57 / 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.

58 / 75

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

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

65 / 75

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

66 / 75

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

71 / 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.

72 / 75

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

73 / 75

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

74 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

75 / 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.

Your score is