Umpire Training Questions 1-28

1. One out, runners at 2nd and 3rd 1. One out, runners at 2nd and 3rd. Batter hits a grounder to 3rd baseman, who gets R3 in a rundown between home and 3rd. R3 eludes a tag and returns to 3rd safely. Meanwhile R2 is standing on 3rd also. Both are tagged. Who is out? R3 R2 Both Runners 1 Out

Batter is awarded 1st and R1 is awarded 2nd 2. One out, runner on 1st who is attempting to steal 2nd. The catcher interferes with the batter who strikes out and then throws out R1 at 2nd base. What penalties do you impose? Batter is awarded 1st and R1 is awarded 2nd Batter is out and R1 is out at 2nd Batter is awarded 1st and R1 is out at 2nd base 1 Out

3. Runner at 1st, batter takes the pitch 3. Runner at 1st, batter takes the pitch. The catcher’s throw back to the pitcher hits the still cocked bat of the batter. The ball bounces into the dugout and R1 goes to 3rd. Can he stay there? A. Yes B. No

Batter gets 1st and R1 gets 2nd Batter gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd 4. No outs, runner on 1st. Grounder to short who throws the ball out of field of play trying to retire R1 at 2nd. BATTER RUNNER NOT TO 1st YET. Place the runners. Batter gets 1st and R1 gets 2nd Batter gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd Batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd Batter gets 3rd and R1 gets home 0 Outs

5. If the pitcher requests an alternate ball, the umpire must give him one if available. A. True B. False

6. A relief pitcher enters the game and pitches to a 1-2 count 6. A relief pitcher enters the game and pitches to a 1-2 count. The batter is replaced by a pinch-batter. Can a substitute now come in for the pitcher? A. Yes B. No

7. Can a pitcher balk with no runners on base? A. Yes B. No

8. During a play on the field, a thrown ball strikes an authorized photographer in the back while he is running away from the ball in foul territory. Is the ball dead? A. Yes B. No

The appeal is not allowed, and both runs count 9. One out, runner on first. Batter hits an inside-the-park homerun. R1 misses home plate. Following a sliding tag play at home on which the BR is ruled safe, R1 returns and touches the plate. The catcher properly appeals to you that R1 missed the plate. What is the call? The appeal is not allowed, and both runs count R1 is ruled out, the following run counts R1 is ruled out and BR is sent back to third base 1 Out

No pitch, since the batter is out of the box 10. With a count of 0-2, the batter steps out of the batter’s box while the pitcher is in his windup. The pitcher delivers the pitch anyway; the pitch does not enter the strike zone. What is your call? Strike three Ball one No pitch, since the batter is out of the box 0 Balls 2 Strikes

Batter is out, R2 and R1 must remain at their current base 11. One out, runners on 1st and 2nd. The 3rd baseman jumps up on top of a tarp to catch a foul pop-up, then falls into the stands, but retains possession of the ball. What is the result? Batter is out, R2 and R1 must remain at their current base Batter is not out, R2 and R1 must remain at their current base Batter is out, R2 is awarded 3rd and R1 is awarded 2nd 1 Out

12. Two outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd 12. Two outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Batter triples, apparently scoring both R3 and R2. The defense appeals that R2 missed third and you agree, calling him out. How many runs do you allow? 1 2 None 2 Outs

13. A pitched ball hits the ground and then hits the batter, who does not swing at the pitch, but did attempt to avoid being hit. What is the call? The ball is alive and called a strike The ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base The ball is dead and the pitch is called ball

The batter is out and the inning is over 14. Bases loaded, two outs with a 1-2 count. The batter swings and misses a pitch which touches the ground before reaching the plate. The catcher catches the ball cleanly after the bounce. The batter runs to first and all other runners advance. The catcher steps on home plate before R3 arrives. What’s the call? The batter is out and the inning is over Everybody is safe and R3 scores R3 is out and the inning is over 1 Ball 2 Strikes 2 Outs

Dead ball, batter is out, runner returns to 2nd 15. Runner on 2nd, one out, with a 2-2 count. The pitched ball bounces in front of the plate. While the batter swings and misses, the ball caroms off the catcher and ends up in the umpire’s ball bag. What’s the solution to this mess? Dead ball, batter is out, runner returns to 2nd Dead ball, batter is awarded 1st, runner returns to 2nd Live ball, batter may try for 1st Dead ball, batter is awarded 1st and runner is awarded 3rd 2 Balls 2 Strikes 1 Out

16. One out, runner on 1st. Batter hits a quick one-hopper to the 1st baseman. R1 returns to 1st and is tagged while on the base. The 1st baseman then steps on 1st. Who is out? Only R1 Only the BR Both R1 and the BR 1 Out

17. Two outs, bases loaded, 3-2 count 17. Two outs, bases loaded, 3-2 count. With all runners going on the pitch, the batter takes ball four. R2 touches and rounds 3rd and is picked off by the catcher before the runner from 3rd touches the plate. Does the run count? Yes No 3 Balls 2 Strikes 2 Outs

18. Does a glove thrown at a fair batted ball have to touch the ball before you award bases? Yes No

Batter gets 2nd, R1 and R3 get home 19. One out, bases loaded. Grounder to 3rd baseman who steps on 3rd and then throws the ball into the stands trying to retire the BR. R1 had reached 2nd before the throw, but R3 and the BR had not reached their next base before the throw. Place R1, R3 and the BR. Batter gets 2nd, R1 and R3 get home Batter gets 1st, R1 and R3 get home Batter gets 1st, R1 get 3rd and R3 get home 1 Out

20. One out, runner on 1st. Batter hits a quick one-hopper to the 1st baseman, who tags the bag then tags R1 who is now standing on the bag when tagged. Who is out? The runner on 1st The batter runner Both R1 and BR 1 Out

21. One out, runner on 2nd. R2 is stealing 3rd when the catcher interferes with the batter, who flies out to center. The runner returns to 2nd as the ball is caught. You invoke catcher’s interference and place the batter at 1st. What do you do with R2? Place at 2nd Place at 3rd Award R2 two bases 1 Out

22. A batted ball goes sharply and directly from the bat, to the catcher’s mitt, then hits the catcher in his mask and ricochets 20 feet above home plate where the catcher catches it before it hits the ground. Is this a foul-tip? Yes B. No

23. The 1st baseman catches a foul pop fly in foul territory next to the stands. A fan reaches out and takes the ball from the fielder’s glove. The umpire declares the batter out. Is this correct? Yes B. No

24. The batter triples but misses second 24. The batter triples but misses second. The defense properly appeals that he missed first base, but the umpire rules him safe. Can the defense now properly appeal that he missed 2nd base? Yes B. No

25. “Time” is automatically called when the batter steps out of the batter’s box. Is this correct? Yes B. No

26. No outs, bases loaded, batter takes strike 3 and the catcher drops the ball. Is the batter out? Yes B. No 0 Outs

27. If an ejection occurs during a play, when will the ejection take effect? When the ball becomes dead Immediately After the manager has been notified by the umpire

28. One out and runners on 1st and 2nd base 28. One out and runners on 1st and 2nd base. The batter bunts a pop-up to the pitcher. Is this an Infield-Fly? Yes B. No 1 Out