Mar 29

2025 Umpire Exam

2025 Umpire Exam

12

2025 MSF Umpire Exam

NSF/MSF

Umpire Exam 2025

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 2025 Umpire Exam and take a new random one.

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1 / 75

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

2 / 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.

3 / 75

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

4 / 75

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

5 / 75

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

6 / 75

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

7 / 75

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

8 / 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.

9 / 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?:

10 / 75

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

11 / 75

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

12 / 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.

13 / 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:

14 / 75

The game begins when :

15 / 75

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

16 / 75

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

17 / 75

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

18 / 75

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

19 / 75

In which of the following situations is the batter out?

20 / 75

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

21 / 75

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

22 / 75

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

23 / 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. 

24 / 75

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

25 / 75

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

26 / 75

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

27 / 75

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

28 / 75

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

29 / 75

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

30 / 75

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

31 / 75

Which statements about bats are correct?

32 / 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.

33 / 75

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

34 / 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,

35 / 75

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

36 / 75

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

37 / 75

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

38 / 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.

39 / 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?

40 / 75

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

41 / 75

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

42 / 75

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

43 / 75

Concussion symptoms typically include:

44 / 75

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

45 / 75

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

46 / 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: 

47 / 75

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

48 / 75

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

49 / 75

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

50 / 75

A slide is illegal if:

51 / 75

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

52 / 75

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

53 / 75

The pitcher's plate is how wide?

54 / 75

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

55 / 75

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

56 / 75

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

57 / 75

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

58 / 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.

59 / 75

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

60 / 75

Appeals must be made:

61 / 75

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

62 / 75

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

63 / 75

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

64 / 75

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

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

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

67 / 75

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

68 / 75

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

69 / 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. 

70 / 75

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

71 / 75

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

72 / 75

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

73 / 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.

74 / 75

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

75 / 75

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

Your score is