2006 Umpire's Exam - Questions & Answers
1. A batter hits a ground ball down the third base line. The ball hits a rock in foul territory and deflects to hit third base and then bounces into foul territory near the left field fence. What is the proper call?
a.) Fair ball. (Rule 1, Sec. 16, b)
b.) Foul ball.
2. There is one out and nobody on base in the bottom of the first inning when you notice that the third base coach has a scorebook and a ball and strike counter in his hands. What is the proper call?
a.) The coach must return the scorebook and counter to the dugout.
b.) The coach is ejected from the game for having objects on the field.
c.) There is no call as this is legal. (Rule 1, Sec. 14)
d.) The coach must return the counter to the dugout but may keep the scorebook.
3. A batters box has which of the following dimensions?
a.) 6 feet long by 3 feet wide
b.) 7 feet long by 4 feet wide
c.) 6 feet long by 4 feet wide
d.) 7 feet long by 3 feet wide (Rule 2 Sec. 3, c.)
4. A batter’s box extends how far in front of the centre of home plate?
a.) 2 feet
b.) 3 feet
c.) 4 feet (Rule 2, Sec. 3, c.)
d.) 5 feet
5. At the beginning of the bottom of the first inning the visiting team notices that the left fielder is using a first base person’s glove, commonly known as a “trapper”. They ask that it be removed from the game. What is the proper call?
a.) The trapper must be removed from the game.
b.) Only the catcher, pitcher or the first base person can use a trapper. The left fielder must use a different glove or trade with one of these three. (Rule 3, Sec. 3)
c.) A glove is a glove.
d.) “Don’t tell me until they make a play and then you can call them for use of an illegal glove after they make a catch”.
6. A batter comes up to home plate and asks you if the bat he is using is legal. You look at the bat and see that it has the words “Official Softball” marked on it, is 33 inches long, marked as BPF 1.20, weighs 36 ounces and has tape on the small end of the bat that extends 20 inches. What is the proper call?
a.) The bat is legal and can be used.
b.) The bat is illegal and removed from play and the batter is declared out for using an illegal bat.
c.) The bat is illegal and removed from play and the batter is allowed to get a legal bat. (Rule 3, Sec.1 c.)
d.) The bat is illegal and removed from play and the batter is ejected for using and illegal bat.
7. There are two out and a runner at first. There is a vacant spot in the line-up due up next (on-deck) due to an injury to a player that there was no substitute for. The pitcher walks the batter on a three ball two-strike count. What is the proper call?
a.) Three out.
b.) The vacant spot is skipped and the next person in the line-up is the batter. (Rule 4, Sec. 4, d.)
c.) The batter is awarded second for the obvious intentional walk. Three out.
d.) The batter is allowed to continue until he / she strikes out or gets a hit because of the vacant spot being next.
8. In a 6 and 4 co-ed slo-pitch game, it is the top of the first, there is one out and a runner on second. The number 3 hitter is at the plate when the visiting team’s manager calls to the home plate umpire that the right fielder is in on the shale. What is the proper call?
a.) “So what, they’re playing a bit shallow.” No call.
b.) “Time.” The fielder must be moved off the infield surface. (Rule 4, Sec1, f. Co-ed)
c.) “Ball one.” The fielder must be moved off the infield surface.
d.) “Don’t bother me. I am trying to umpire.”
9. At the plate conference before a Canadian World Series, co-ed, 6-and-4 slo-pitch game both managers have filled out their line-ups on the score card and brought it to you. Both managers inform you that they are using two (2) EPs and have no substitutes for the game. What must you check for on the line-up card?
a.) Jersey numbers, full names, four (4) designated female line-up positions.
b.) Jersey numbers, full names, positions, four (4) designated female line-up positions.
c.) Jersey numbers, full names, positions, five (5) designated female line-up positions. (Rule 4, Sec. 1, a., 1) (Rule 4, Sec. 1, b., Co-ed)
d.) Jersey numbers, full names, five (5) designated female line-up positions.
10. The game is about to start when it starts to rain. You call a rain delay and everyone retreats to their cars. After 10 minutes of rain the league president come up to you and tell you to call the game due to rain. The skies are starting to clear and the field has no standing water on it. What is the proper call?
a.) It is the president’s league and therefore a rain out.
b.) Start the game as soon as it is safe to do so in your judgment. (Rule 5, Sec. 2)
c.) Ask the coach of each team if they want to play.
d.) Call a rain out due to the amount of time elapsed.
11. There are two out and runners at second and third. The batter hits a double into left field and both runners score, but the batter missed first on the way to second. The first base person noticed this (as did you) and makes a proper appeal to you, after time has been called, for the third out. How many runs score?
a.) Two.
b.) One.
c.) None. (Rule 5, Sec. 5, d.)
12.The bases are loaded and there are two out. The batter enters the left-hand batter’s box and the first pitch is called a ball. The third base coach calls the batter down the line for instructions on how to approach the remainder of the at bat. The batter then re-enters the left-hand batter’s box, takes ball two and then swings at the next pitch for strike one. The third base coach then calls the batter down the line for further instructions. What is the proper call?
a.) Nothing as this is perfectly legal.
b.) The runner at third (closest to home) is called out to a second charged conference between the batter and coach.
c.) Strike two is called due to a second charged conference between the batter and coach. (Rule 5, Sec 8, penalty) (Rule 1, Sec. 12 b.)
d.) The batter is called out to a second charged conference between the batter and coach.
13. What is the maximum arc allowed on a pitch in slo-pitch?
a.) 15 feet
b.) 12 feet
c.) 10 feet (Rule 6, Sec. 3, c)
d.) 6 feet
14. It is raining lightly and play can safely continue. The pitcher starts into his / her windup and drops the ball. What is the proper call?
a.) “Butter fingers!”
b.) “Baulk”
c.) “No Pitch” (Rule 6, Sec. 8, d.)
d.) “Ball”
15. It is the bottom of the third inning and there is one out and the bases are empty. The next batter in the line-up enters the right hand batters box and you say “play ball” to the pitcher. The pitcher pitches the ball and it clearly reaches 15 feet on its way toward home plate. What is the proper call?
a.) “Illegal pitch” (Rule 6, Sec. 7, Note)
b.) Delayed dead ball.
c.) There is no call to be made until the ball lands.
d.) “Are you trying to make it rain?”
16. It is the top of the second inning, there are two out and there is a runner on first. The next batter in the line-up enters the left hand batters box and hits the first pitch down the first base line that lands just foul in right field. The runner from first has already rounded second by the time you call the foul ball and has started to return to first base. The second baseman returns the ball to the pitcher who starts to pitch once the batter has returned to the batters box. As the pitch approaches home plate you notice that the runner is not back at first yet. What is the proper call?
a.) There is no call to be made.
b.) “Dead Ball, No Pitch, Runner is out”.
c.) “Dead Ball, No Pitch, Ball One”
d) “Dead Ball, No Pitch” (Rule 6, Sec 8, c.)
17. A right-handed batter swings at the first pitch and unintentionally hits it straight down. Due to the condition of the field, the ball becomes stuck within the front of the right-hand batters box. The batter then steps on the ball while taking his/her first step toward first base. What is the proper call?
a.) Dead ball; batter to out for contacting the ball in the field of play.
b.) Foul ball; strike one. (Rule 7, Sec. 5, f. interpretation)
c.) Dead ball; batter is awarded first base due to obstruction.
d.) Play should continue and no call be made.
18. There are runners at first and third and there are is one out. The batter hits a soft fly ball directly to the shortstop. The shortstop steps away from the ball and holds his hands out to the side allowing it to drop, picks it up and touches second base and then throws to first well before the batter-runner gets to first. What is the proper call?
a.) The base runner from first is out and the batter-runner is out (double play).
b.) The batter is out on an intentionally dropped ball and all base runners are returned to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. (Rule 7, Sec. 9, e. effect)
c.) The batter is out, the shortstop is ejected from the game and the base runners are awarded a base from the time of the pitch.
d.) A dead ball is called, the batter is awarded first base and all runners
advance one base from the base occupied at the time of the pitch if forced.
19. The bases are empty and there is one out. The next batter steps into the left-hand batter’s box and takes ball one. The catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, who is standing on the pitching rubber. The batter then steps across home plate into the right-handed batter’s box to await the next pitch. What is the proper call?
a.) “Play ball” as this is perfectly legal
b.) Time is called and the batter is placed back in the left-handed batter’s box
c.) The batter is out and the ball is dead. (Rule 7, Sec. 1 b. effect)
d.) A strike is called on the batter and he/she is placed back in the left- handed batter’s box.
20. There are two out and a runner at third. The batter has a one ball two strike count on him/her and you call the next pitch, which is very deep, a ball. The catcher picks up the ball and sees that the runner at third has stepped off the base. The catcher throws the ball to the third base person in an attempt to get the runner out. The runner gets back to the base before being tagged. What is the proper call?
a.) Safe at third.
b.) Dead ball, no play.
c.) Ball three. (Rule 7, Sec. 6, d) (Rule 6, Sec. 3, e.)
d.) Out at third for lead off.
21. There is one out and a runner at third. The batter has a one ball, two strike count when he / she hits the next pitch for a fly ball down the left field line. The left fielder runs over to catch the ball but over runs the play and has to reach back into fair territory to catch the ball while the fielder’s body is still in foul territory. The runner from third tags and scores on the play. What is the proper call?
a.) Foul ball, the batter is out on strike three, the ball is dead and the runner must return to third.
b.) Fair ball, the batter is out on the catch and the run scores. (Rule 7, Sec 7, e. effect)
c.) Foul ball, the batter is out on strike three and the run scores.
d.) Foul ball, the batter is out on strike three and the runner is out for leaving the base.
22. There is one out and runners at first and second in a co-ed slo-pitch game. A female batter bunts the first pitch, starts running toward first base, dropping her bat in front of home plate with out looking down. The ball spins upon contact with the ground and strikes the dropped bat in fair territory. What is the proper call?
a.) Blocked ball and the batter is out.
b.) Blocked ball and the runner from second is out.
c.) There is no call as the ball is still live. (Rule 7, Sec. 4, effect, note)(Rule 7, Sec. 9, k)
d.) Batter is out for hitting the ball twice and all runners return to their bases.
23. The leadoff batter in an inning steps into the right hand batter’s box. The first pitch is delivered behind him but he turns around in the batter’s box and hits the ball with a backhanded swing. The ball flies over the shortstop’s head and lands in shallow left field where it is retrieved by the shortstop only after the batter has safely reached first. What is the proper call?
a.) Dead ball, batter is out for being out of the batter’s box.
b.) Dead ball, batter is out for an illegally batted ball.
c.) There is no call as this is legal (Rule 7, Sec. 1, a)
d.) Dead ball, batter is out for making a mockery of the game.
24. There is a runner at third and one out. The batter hits a fly ball to left field and the runner at third tags up with their foot on the base. The left fielder attempts to catch the fly ball but it hits in his/her glove and bounces out. The centre fielder who was covering the play then catches the ball before it hits the ground. In the meantime, the runner at third left the base when the ball bounced out of the left fielder’s glove and crosses home plate without a throw. The pitcher then asks the centre fielder for the ball and appeals that the runner at third left early. What is the proper call?
a.) The runner is out for leaving the base before a fielder had control of the ball.
b.) The runner is safe and the run scores. (Rule 8, Sec. 3, c.)
c.) The runner is put back on third because of the “trick” play in the outfield that caused them to leave early.
d.) The runner is out for leaving the base before the umpire declared an out.
25. There are runners on second and third with two out. The batter hits a single over the second base bag and both runners break from their bases. The runner from third trips and twists his/her ankle. The runner from second touches third and then helps the runner from third up and across the scoring line at home plate and then crosses the line after them. What is the proper call?
a.) The runner originally on second is out for assisting another runner and only one run scores
b.) There is no call as this is a legal play. (Rule 8, Sec. 8, n. exception)
c.) The runner originally on third is out for having been assisted and no runs score
d.) Dead ball, the runner originally on third is awarded home and the runner originally on second is places on third due to an injury on the field
26. There are runners at first base and third base with two out. The left-handed batter hits a line drive down the first base line and it hits the base runner while he/she is still standing on the base in fair territory. The ball bounces off the runner in the air to the first base person who catches it cleanly. What is the proper call?
a.) The batter is out on a caught line drive.
b.) The ball is dead, the batter-runner is awarded first and all runners advance one base from the time of the pitch.
c.) The ball is dead, the batter-runner is awarded first and the runner at first is out.
d.) The ball is dead, the batter-runner is awarded first and all runners advance one base only if forced. (Rule 8, Sec. 9, k. plus effect)
27. There is a runner at second and one out. The batter hits a ground ball to the second base person and the runner from second gets a late jump to third. The second base person sees this and throws to the third base person. The runner sees the throw and turns back to second. A “run down” or “hot box” ensues with the runner alternating back and forth several times. After five throws the runner, while on the way back to second, bumps into the shortstop, who had just thrown the ball back to the pitcher covering third. (The batter has stopped at first to watch all the fun.) What is the proper call?
a.) Time is called, the ball is dead and the runner is out for interference.
b.) Obstruction is called and the runner is put back on second base.
c.) Obstruction is called and the runner is awarded third base. (Rule 8, Sec 5, b (1) exception)
d.) Obstruction is called the runner is awarded third and the batter is awarded second.
28. There is one out and there is a runner at second. The batter hits a ground ball to the first base person who was playing inside the baseline. The batter, after taking several steps down the first base line, stops and steps backward toward home plate to avoid a tag and allow the runner from second to advance to third. What is the proper call?
a.) The batter is out for moving backwards toward home plate. The ball is still live. (Rule 8, Sec 7, h)
b.) The batter is out, the ball is dead and the runner from second is set back to second.
c.) The batter is out, the ball is dead and the runner at second is out for the interference by the batter.
d.) There is no call as this is a legal play.
29. There are runners at first and third and there are two out. The batter hits a line drive down the third base line that hits the third base person’s glove in fair territory and bounces over the fence in foul territory and out of play. What is the proper call?
a.) Dead ball. Foul ball.
b.) Dead ball. The batter is awarded second, the runner from third is awarded home and the runner from first it awarded third. (Rule 8, Sec.5. f)
c.) Dead ball. The batter is awarded first, the runner from first is awarded second and the runner at third is awarded home.
d.) Dead ball. The batter is awarded first, the runner from first is awarded second and the runner at third stays at first, as there is no force.
30. There is a runner at second and one out. The batter hits the ball to the second base person who notices that the runner from second has taken off toward third. The second base person throws the ball to the third base person, the runner from second notices this and turns back toward second in an attempt to avoid being put out. As the runner turns he / she runs into the short stop who is moving to cover second. The third base person throws the ball to the short stop who tags the runner. What is the proper call?
a.) The runner is out.
b.) Obstruction on the short stop and the runner is safe at second.
c.) Obstruction on the short stop and the runner is safe at third. (Rule 8, Sec. 5, b, (1) exception)
d.) The runner is out and the batter is out on the interference by the runner from second on the short stop.
31. The lead off batter in the top of the third inning is the pitcher from the visiting team. He hits the ball into left field for a single and reaches first base safely. The next batter then takes a pitch for ball one when the runner at first requests a suspension in play to retrieve his jacket from the dugout. The manager brings his jacket to him from the dugout and congratulates him on his hit. This is a charged offensive conference. True or False? (False, Rule 1, Sec. 12, b.)
32. The foul pole is considered part of fair territory. True or False? (True, The line is part of fair ground)
33. A batter approaches home plate with a wooden bat in his / her hand and the words “Official Softball” stamped on it. The bat is 32 inches long and weighs 28 ounces but does not have a BPF stamp on it anywhere. This is an illegal bat. True or False? (False, Rule 3, second note, exception)
34. Pitchers may wear a multicolored baseball glove. True or False? (True, Rule 3, Sec. 3)
35. In a 6 and 4 co-ed slo-pitch game, both teams report to you that they will be using extra players (EPs). When the home team takes the field in the top of the first inning, the visiting manager points out to you that the home team has five (5) female players in the field. This is legal and no call is required. True or False? (True, Rule 4, Sec. 1, e. co-ed)
36. In NSA Men’s or Women’s play teams may use only one(1) EP if they wish. True or False? (True, Rule 4, Sec. 1)
37. In an NSA Canada sanctioned event being played under the 6 and 4 format, a team’s manager approaches the home plate umpire at the start of the top of the fourth inning and wishes to make some substitutions. He informs the umpire that he wishes to put Bill in for James in the number 3 spot, Jennifer in for John in the number 7 spot and Tom in for Rod in the number 8 spot. These are legal substitutions and are to be allowed. True or False? (True, Rule 4, Sec 4 Co-ed)
38. It is the bottom of the third, there are two (2) out and there is a runner on first in a Co-ed slo-pitch game. The next batter hits a ball over the fence in centre field for a home run. While rounding the bases, the batter misses second and a proper appeal is made to you. The batter is declared out, his run does not score and the home run does not count against the total for the home team. True or false? (False, Rule 5, Sec. 11 Note)
39. It is the bottom of the seventh inning in a co-ed, 6-and-4 game and the home team is trailing 6 to 5. Each team has hit one home run in the game. The first batter of the inning hits a single and then the second batter hits a home run. This is the first out and the third batter it now due up. True or False? (False, Rule 5, Sec. 10)
40. The pitcher, catcher and batter are the only participants in the game that are permitted to question ball and strike calls. True or False? (True, Rule 6, Sec 10)
41. A pitcher may take a step in any direction as part of his/her delivery. True or False? (True, Rule 6, Sec2, a.)
42. The leadoff batter in an inning hits a sharp ground ball down the first base line. The ball hits the ground twice in fair territory, bounces off a rock just in front of first base, crosses the orange section of the double bag at first and hits the base umpire who was in proper position but was not expecting the bounce. This is a foul ball. True or False? (True, Rule 7, Sec. 8, b & d)
43. Baserunners must retouch bases left early on a caught fly ball before advancing to bases awarded by the umpire. True or False? (True Rule 8, Sec 1, k.)
44. Protests shall not be allowed or considered if they are based solely upon a decision involving judgment on the part of any umpire. True of False? (True, rule 11, sec 1)
45. The lead-off batter in the first inning hits ball down the first base line. It is fielded by the first baseperson in fair territory who then moves toward first, stumbles and falls just before stepping on the bag but retains possession of the ball in their glove. The first baseperson then reaches out with their bare hand and touches first base before the batter-baserunner reaches first. The batter-baserunner is out. True or False? (True Rule 8, Sec 7, b)
46. Profanity is allowed if there are no children as spectators. True or False? (False,rule 12, sec. 1)
47. Punching a Director of NSA Canada in the head results in life time suspension. True or False? (False, rule 13, sec 1)
48. A player may wear an umpire hat during a ball game. True or False? (False, rule 10, sec.8 note VI)
49. Umpires cannot be changed during the course of a game. True or False? (False, rule 10, sec.4)
50. The Deputy UIC of NSA Canada is Scott Surridge. True or False? (True, first page of the rule book)
