Umpire Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A defensive player who is not fielding the ball and does not possess it blocks a runner’s path, causing the runner to slow down. Which term best describes the infraction?
A balk
Runner interference
Obstruction
An illegal appeal
2. A player asks for “Time” while the pitcher is holding the ball. When does the ball become dead?
When an umpire grants the request and calls time
As soon as any player verbally requests time
When the pitcher hears the request and stops moving
Only after every defensive player has returned to position
3. A runner clearly misses second base while advancing, and play continues. What is the usual umpiring approach?
Immediately call the runner out without action by the defense
Stop play and send the runner back to touch second
Ignore the missed base even if the defense later notices it
Wait for the defense to make a proper appeal under the applicable rules
4. On a 1-1 count, a pitch touches the batter while the batter is swinging at it. What is the proper ruling?
Award first base because every pitch touching a batter is a hit-by-pitch
Call a ball because the pitch was outside the strike zone
Call a dead ball and a strike, making the count 1-2 without awarding first base
Keep the ball live and allow the batter to run
5. A batted ball rolls toward first base and stops untouched in foul territory halfway between home plate and first base. What is the ruling?
Fair ball because it initially traveled toward first base
Live ball until a fielder touches it
Foul ball because it settled foul before passing first base
Dead ball awarded as a ground-rule double
6. What creates a force play in baseball?
A runner must leave an occupied base because the batter becomes a runner
A fielder possesses the ball while standing near a runner
An umpire orders a runner to advance after a dead ball
A runner attempts to advance on a caught fly ball
7. With two outs, a runner from third touches home before the defense records the third out by forcing another runner at second base. Does the run count?
Yes; touching home before the out always makes the run count
No; a run cannot score when the third out is a force out
Yes, but only if the batter-runner had crossed first base
The run counts only when the plate umpire signals safe before the out
8. On a 3-2 count, the pitcher delivers outside the strike zone and the batter does not swing. What is the basic result?
Ball four, and the batter is awarded first base
The batter remains at bat with the count reset to 3-0
Strike three because a full count requires the batter to swing
The pitch must be repeated because the count was full
9. A batter hits a fly ball that descends over foul territory, where a fielder catches it before it touches the ground. What is the result?
Foul ball, and the batter continues the plate appearance
The batter is out, and runners may advance at their own risk after tagging up
Dead ball, with runners returned and a strike added
The batter is out, but runners may not attempt to advance
10. A runner at third waits until an outfielder first touches a fly ball, then leaves the base while the fielder bobbles the ball before completing the catch. Was the runner’s departure properly timed?
No; the runner must remain until the fielder throws the ball
No; the runner must wait until the catch is fully completed
Yes, but only if the runner returns to third again before scoring
Yes; a runner may leave after the fly ball is first touched
11. A baserunner deliberately bumps a fielder who is trying to field a batted ground ball. Which ruling should the umpire consider?
Obstruction by the fielder
Interference by the runner
A legal collision because the runner has priority everywhere
A balk by the pitcher
12. With one out and the bases loaded, the batter hits a fair pop-up that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. What does an infield-fly declaration mean?
The batter is out whether or not the fly ball is caught
The ball immediately becomes dead and runners receive one base
Every runner is automatically out if the ball drops
The batter is out only if an infielder completes the catch
13. With a runner on first base, the batter hits a ground ball. A fielder holding the ball touches second base before the advancing runner arrives. What is the ruling at second?
The runner is safe unless personally tagged
The runner is out on the force play
The runner is safe because the batter has not yet reached first
The play requires an appeal after time is called
14. Which description best identifies the horizontal location of a pitch that may be called a strike?
It passes between the inside lines of the two batter’s boxes.
It reaches the catcher’s mitt directly behind the center of home plate.
It crosses the batter’s box at or below the batter’s elbows.
It passes over any part of home plate while within the batter’s vertical strike zone.
15. Which condition is essential for ruling that a fielder legally caught a fly ball?
The fielder must use two hands to secure the ball
The ball must be caught while the fielder is standing in fair territory
The fielder must remain completely motionless after touching the ball
The fielder must gain secure possession and show a voluntary release or transfer
16. With two strikes, the batter makes contact and the ball travels sharp and direct into the catcher’s mitt, where it is legally caught. How is this foul tip ruled?
It is a caught fly ball, so runners must tag up
It is an ordinary foul ball, and the batter remains at bat
It is strike three, and the batter is out
It is a dead ball, and runners advance one base