2020 USA Softball Umpire Exam – Slow Pitch Only

1) R1 on 1B with one out. B3 hits a line drive to F1 who catches the ball in the air. R1 left 1B on contact and was on their way to 2B when the ball was caught. F1 throws the ball to F3 at 1B. What can F3 do in order to have R1 called out for leaving the base too soon?

2) R1 on 2B and R2 on 1B with one out. B4 hits a fly ball to F6. With F6 under the fly ball ready to make the catch R1 runs into F6 prior to F6 contacting the fly ball. The umpires should rule:

3) R1 on 2B and R2 on 1B with one out. B4 hits a fly ball to F3. The umpire declares infield fly if fair. B4 runs into F3 before they can catch the fair fly ball.

4) R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B, R3 on 1B two outs and B6 at bat. B6 hits a line drive that strikes R1 over fair territory while standing on 3B. R1 collapses in pain and cannot move as the ball falls into fair territory.

5) R1 on 2B with two outs. B4 gets a base hit to short left field, F8 scoops the ball and throws to F5 at 3B to attempt to retire R1 who got a late start. R1 sees they may get thrown out at 3B and stops. Meanwhile, B4 rounds 1B advances and is standing on 2B. R1 gets in a run down and is obstructed between 2B and 3B. They are then tagged out with B4 standing on 2B.

6) B1 gets a base hit to left field and as they swing out wide to make the turn at 1B collide with the 1B coach who is watching the ball in the Coaches Box and both coach and batter-runner fall to the ground. What is the ruling?

7) B1 hits a base hit to right center field. After they have rounded 1B they are driven back to 1B by a throw from right center field which goes offline and gets by F3. The defensive coach steps out of the dug-out, retrieves the errant throw and throws to 1B where F3 tags B1 returning to 1B. The umpire at 1B calls the runner out thinking that F2 made the throw. The offensive coach protests the out call. The correct ruling would be:

8) With one out and R1 on 3B and R2 on 2B. B4 hits a fly ball to RF. F9 catches the fly ball. Both R1 and R2 tag up legally and advance. R1 scores and R2 has reached 3B, B4 continues to run to 2B and draws a throw to allow R2 to score. What is the proper ruling?

9) In Championship play where all bats have been compression tested and given a specific sticker to identify they have passed testing, B1 enters the batter’s box with a bat that does not have the required sticker. Upon further inspection it is found that the bat does not bear an ASA or USA Softball Certification Mark. What is the correct ruling?

10) In the pre-game equipment inspection, the umpire is checking the protective face guards worn by the pitcher and infielders. These guards did not have a NOCSAE approved marking. The umpire would not allow these guards to be worn by the players. This is the correct ruling. 

11) In the bottom of the 7th inning with a tie score, two outs and R1 on 1B, B4 hits a long fly ball that lands fair and rolls away from the right fielder allowing R1 to score the winning run. However, before the umpires leave the field, the defensive coach informs the umpires that the ball continued rolling into foul territory and rolled past the dead ball line that extends from the fence that ends at the foul pole to the fence along the side of the field. The umpires verify that the ball had entered dead ball territory, what is the proper ruling?

12) With R1 on 1B, B2 places a hard-hit fly ball away from the centerfielder. R1 thinking the ball will not be caught rounds 2B heading to 3B, however F8 makes an amazing diving catch. R1 in their haste to retreat to 1B did not retouch 2B. When the ball is returned to the infield the umpire should:

13) B1 gets a base hit between the right and center fielders. As B1 is trying to reach 3B the relay throw is on its way from the outfield. B1 slides into 3B ahead of the throw but slides into F5’s foot who is waiting to receive the throw with their foot blocking 3B. Before B1 can touch 3B, F5 catches the throw and tags them. What is the correct ruling?

14) With R1 on 1B, B2 hits a line drive to F4 who catches the ball and attempts to throw to F3 for a double play on R1 who was off on the hit. F4’s throw is errant and enters dead ball territory, as R1 continues to and touches 1B. The correct ruling should be:

15) With R1 on 2B and one out B3 hits the ball to F3, as B3 runs to 1B and F3 is coming toward them B3 stops. As F3 reaches out to apply the tag B3, now a batter-runner moves backward toward home plate to avoid or delay being tagged out. What is the correct ruling?

16) In the second inning scheduled to bat are B8, B9 and B10. Instead of B8, B9 leads off and hits a single. B8 now bats and hits a triple scoring B9 from 1B. B10 now bats and has a no ball, one strike count when the defense appeals batting out of order. What is the proper ruling?

17) With a 1 ball 1 strike count, R1 on 2B and no outs, the pitch to B2 gets away from F2 then R1 attempts to steal 3B. F2 throws their glove and stops the ball so they can retrieve it more quickly. What should the Umpire rule?

18) R1 on 1B, the batter hits a line drive to F5 who then throws to 1B to attempt a double play, but the ball is thrown out of play. The ball becomes dead and the umpire delays to allow R1 to complete their running responsibilities, seeing that R1 shows no intention of returning to 1B the umpire awards R1 3B. R1 proceeds past 2B when a teammate from the dugout yells at R1 to go back and touch 1B, R1 then retouches 2B and then touches 1B. They then proceed to 2B and end up at 3B. Once the ball is returned to the infield the defensive coach appeals that the runner did not legally tag up at 1B. What is the correct ruling?

19) A disqualified player is prohibited from playing but can remain in the team area or serve as a coach/manager.

20) An illegal player is a player who does not meet the requirements of the USA Softball Code.

21) B1 hits a line drive that goes to the fence. As B1 rounds 1B they run into U1 and are knocked down. The throw from the outfield is in time to tag B1 out at 2B. What should the umpire rule?

22) R1 on 2B, B2 hits towards the left side of the infield. F5 attempts to field the ball but it is deflected off their glove, directly into the path of the runner who unintentionally collides with F6 who is attempting to field the ball.

23) The on-deck batter moves to stand in the other team’s on-deck circle, which is behind the batter. Is this allowable? 

24) In extra innings, the defensive team is charged with its second conference in the same half inning. What is the penalty?

25) Team A starts the game with the minimum number of players (9 in Fast Pitch, 10 in Slow Pitch). In the third inning two players who are on the team roster show up at the game. When Team A comes to bat the coach informs the plate umpire that they now want to use the DP / FLEX in Fast Pitch or add an EP in Slow Pitch. This is allowed since they now have enough players to support doing so.

26) With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on 2B, B4 hits a long fly ball that the left fielder catches for the second out. R1 leaves early but R2 tags up and leaves as the ball is touched by the left fielder. Both runners score, but after the ball is returned to the infield the defensive team appeals that R1 left early. The PU agrees and rules R1 out but allows R2’s run to score based on the timing of the appeal. What is the correct ruling on this play?

27) In Junior Olympic Pool Play or Seniors Slow Pitch the coach elects to bat all 20 players on their roster. During the game, B6 deliberately crashes into F5 on a close play at 3B. The Plate Umpire deemed the crash to be flagrant. What is the correct ruling on the play?

28) A runner is out for interference when they are accidently contacted by a thrown ball.

29) A team’s lineup card must include all the following, EXCEPT:

30) (Fast Pitch, Slow Pitch with Stealing or 16-Inch Slow Pitch) With R1 on 1B, they attempt to steal 2B. As F2 attempts to throw out R1, their throwing arm contacts the plate umpire. The throw is late and R1 reaches 2B safely. The correct call is:

31) With R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, there is one out. B4 hits a ground ball, which contacts R2 after it has passed F3 and no other fielder has a chance to make an out. The correct ruling is:

32) R1 at 3B with two outs, B4 hits a ball up the 1st baseline. As F3 comes up to play the ball B4 in order to avoid F3 making a play on the ball, steps backward toward home plate then continues around F3 to proceed to 1B, F3 fields the ball and throws to home in an attempt to put out R1. The umpire should rule:

33) B4 bats instead of B3 and reaches 1B safely. F1 then steps onto the pitcher’s plate and commits an illegal pitch. The defense now attempts to appeal that B4 has batted out of order. What is the correct ruling?

34) After the line-up cards have been submitted to and verified by the plate umpire, Team A’s coach has a player arrive late and wants to add that player to the line-up. The umpire should rule:

35) With the bases loaded and less than two outs, F4 is using ordinary effort to catch a pop-up. The correct call is:

36) Until properly appealed, when a runner passes a base, they are considered to have touched it.  

44) With Runners on 2B and 1B in a Three Umpire System the base umpires should:

45) In a Three Umpire System, with no outs B1 hits a line shot just over F6’s head that rolls to the fence. U1 button hooks and U3 cuts across the diamond to 2B. PU should:

46) The correct place to carry your brush as a base umpire or plate umpires is?

47) In a Three Umpire System, with a single runner at 3B:

48) In the Two Umpire System with R1 at 2B and a ground ball hit to F6:

49) Which statement is true regarding the Plate Umpire trailing the batter-runner:

50) When going to the outfield for fly ball coverage, the Base Umpire should:

51) For a pitch to be legal a pitcher can:

52) In a Men’s Class B SP game, a fly ball is hit to right center field. The defensive player collides with the fence at the same time as the ball hits the top of the fence and bounces over into dead ball territory. The umpire should rule:

53) (Slow Pitch with stealing) R1 is on 1B. While B2 is at bat. An illegal pitch crosses home plate and is not swung at. R1 steals 2B with no throw from the catcher. After the pitcher receives the ball back from the catcher, and all action has stopped. The Plate umpire will call time.

54) In the game of Adult Slow Pitch (Except Seniors), the pitcher must have:

55) The pitcher shall not attempt a quick return of the ball before the batter has taken a position in the batter’s box or when the batter is off balance. The penalty is:

56) The EP can be moved to any position in the batting order during a game as needed.

57) In the game of Slow Pitch when the ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during the delivery or during the backswing the umpire should call: