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.

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1 / 75

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

2 / 75

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

3 / 75

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

4 / 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.

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 75

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

9 / 75

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

10 / 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. 

11 / 75

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

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

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

14 / 75

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

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

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

19 / 75

The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when:

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

The proper signal for an illegal pitch is:

22 / 75

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

23 / 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.

24 / 75

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

25 / 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.

26 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

27 / 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. 

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

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

32 / 75

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

33 / 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: 

34 / 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.

35 / 75

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

36 / 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,

37 / 75

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

38 / 75

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

39 / 75

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

40 / 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.

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

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

44 / 75

Which situation is not a possible appeal play?

45 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

46 / 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.

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

The game begins when :

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

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

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

Gloves or mitts may be worn by any defensive player.

53 / 75

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

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

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

56 / 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:

57 / 75

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

58 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

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

61 / 75

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

62 / 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:

63 / 75

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

64 / 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:

65 / 75

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

66 / 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?:

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 75

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

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

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

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

74 / 75

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

75 / 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.

Your score is