1. Umpire Training
Questions 29-53

2. Foul-ball and R2 must return to 2nd
29. Batter has an 0-2 count with no outs. A runner on 2nd attempts to steal 3rd. The batter swings and nicks the pitch that is caught by the catcher, then steps backward and interferes with the catchers throw to 3rd. What’s the call?
Foul-ball and R2 must return to 2nd
Foul-tip, the batter is out and R2 must return to 2nd
Foul tip and R2 is awarded 3rd
0 Balls
2 Strikes
0 Outs

3. B. Foul-tip, the batter is out and R2 must return to 2nd
29. Batter has an 0-2 count with no outs. A runner on 2nd attempts to steal 3rd. The batter swings and nicks the pitch that is caught by the catcher, then steps backward and interferes with the catchers throw to 3rd. What’s the call?
Answer:
B. Foul-tip, the batter is out and
R2 must return to 2nd
MLB 6.03 and Definition “Foul Tip”
0 Balls
0 Strikes
1 Out

4. Balk, this is considered throwing to an unoccupied base
30. Runner on second base, one out. The pitcher tries a pick-off, but no one covers the bag. Rather than hold the ball, the pitcher throws to the shortstop, who is minding his own business at his regular fielding position. What is the correct ruling?
Balk, this is considered throwing to an unoccupied base
Balk, the pitcher didn’t throw to a BASE in an attempt to retire the runner
Nothing, this is perfectly legal
1 Out

5. C. Nothing, this is perfectly legal
30. Runner on second base, one out. The pitcher tries a pick-off, but no one covers the bag. Rather than hold the ball, the pitcher throws to the shortstop, who is minding his own business at his regular fielding position. What is the correct ruling?
Answer:
C. Nothing, this is perfectly legal
MLB 6.02
1 Out

6. Leave them at their current base
31. No outs, bases loaded. The 1st baseman catches a foul fly and falls into the stands. Place R1, R2 and R3.
Leave them at their current base
All runners advance one base
All runners advance two bases
0 Outs

7. B. All runners advance one base
31. No outs, bases loaded. The 1st baseman catches a foul fly and falls into the stands. Place R1, R2 and R3.
Answer:
B. All runners advance one base
MLB 5.09 and 5.06
1 Out

8. 32. The pitcher balks attempting to pick-off R1 and throws the ball wild. R1 advances to 3rd but missed 2nd on the way. The defense throws to 2nd and appeals to you. Is the runner out?
Yes No
0 Outs

9. 32. The pitcher balks attempting to pick-off R1 and throws the ball wild. R1 advances to 3rd, but missed 2nd on the way. The defense throws to 2nd and appeals to you. Is the runner out?
Answer:
Yes
MLB 5.06, 6.02(a) Approved Ruling
1 Out

10. Batter gets 1st, R3 gets home Batter gets 2nd, R3 gets home
33. One out, runner on 3rd. The batter hits a ground ball to the 3rd baseman who gets R3 in a rundown. During the rundown, the catcher is taking off his mask as the ball is being thrown to him. He stops the ball with the mask, picks it up and tags R3. The batter is not yet at 1st when this occurs. Place R3 and the batter.
Batter gets 1st, R3 gets home
Batter gets 2nd, R3 gets home
Batter gets 1st and R3 gets 3rd
1 Out

11. Batter gets 2nd, R3 gets home
33. One out, runner on 3rd. The batter hits a ground ball to the 3rd baseman who gets R3 in a rundown. During the rundown, the catcher is taking off his mask as the ball is being thrown to him. He stops the ball with the mask, picks it up and tags R3. The batter is not yet at 1st when this occurs. Place R3 and the batter.
Answer:
Batter gets 2nd, R3 gets home
MLB – 5.06
1 Out

12. R1 is allowed to return to 1st R1 is not out and is awarded 2nd
34. One out, runner on 1st. The catcher catches a foul fly and falls into the dugout, then throws to 1st before the runner can return. What is the call?
R1 is out
R1 is allowed to return to 1st
R1 is not out and is awarded 2nd
1 Out

13. R1 is not out and is awarded 2nd
34. One out, runner on 1st. The catcher catches a foul fly and falls into the dugout, then throws to 1st before the runner can return. What is the call?
Answer:
R1 is not out and is awarded 2nd
MLB 5.06
2 Outs

14. 35. A pinch hitter bats for the catcher in the 5th spot in the batting order and remains in the game to play 3rd base. The 3rd baseman batted 9th. A substitute enters the came to catch. In what spot does the original pinch hitter bat?
9th
5th
Neither
3rd

15. 35. A pinch hitter bats for the catcher in the 5th spot in the batting order and remains in the game to play 3rd base. The 3rd baseman batted 9th. A substitute enters the came to catch. In what spot does the original pinch hitter bat?
Answer:
5th
MLB

16. The player being removed
36. Who is responsible for notifying the umpire of a substitution?
The incoming player
The player being removed
The manager or his substitute if he is ejected

17. The manager or his substitute if he is ejected
36. Who is responsible for notifying the umpire of a substitution?
Answer:
The manager or his substitute if he is ejected
MLB – 5.10, 5.04

18. The highest ranking league officer that is present
37. At the pre-game conference before the start of the game, the opposing managers cannot agree on a ground rule. Who then decides how the ground rule shall be played?
The umpire-in-chief
The highest ranking league officer that is present
They toss a coin in the air
The home team manager

19. Answer: The umpire-in-chief
37. At the pre-game conference before the start of the game, the opposing managers cannot agree on a ground rule. Who then decides how the ground rule shall be played?
Answer:
The umpire-in-chief
MLB 4.05

20. 38. Runner on 3rd, the batter fouls a pitch which strikes the umpire on the chest protector and rebounds into the air where it is caught by the pitcher before the ball touches the ground. R3 crosses home and the pitcher throws to the 3rd baseman who tags 3rd base before R3 can return. What is the call?
The batter is not out and R3 is returned to 3rd
The batter is out and R3 is out
The batter is not out and the run scored by R3 counts

21. The batter is not out and R3 is returned to 3rd
38. Runner on 3rd, the batter fouls a pitch which strikes the umpire on the chest protector and rebounds into the air where it is caught by the pitcher before the ball touches the ground. R3 crosses home and the pitcher throws to the 3rd baseman who tags 3rd base before R3 can return. What is the call?
Answer:
The batter is not out and R3 is returned to 3rd
MLB 5.06

22. 39. The batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called
39. The batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called. After the ball is put back into play, the pitcher balks when he attempts to make an appeal at 1st base. What is the call?
R2 is awarded 3rd base but may still be called out on appeal if the defense does it properly
The ball is not immediately made dead as a result of the “balk” call. The umpires are waiting to see if the defense will complete the appeal
R2 is awarded 3rd base and the defense has lost their rights to appeal on the missed 1st base

23. 39. The batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called
39. The batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called. After the ball is put back into play, the pitcher balks when he attempts to make an appeal at 1st base. What is the call?
Answer:
R2 is awarded 3rd base and the defense has lost their rights to appeal on the missed 1st base
MLB 5.09

24. 40. The batter is legally in the box with one foot completely in the box and the other foot on the line of the box.
True
False

25. 40. The batter is legally in the box with one foot completely in the box and the other foot on the line of the box.
Answer:
True
MLB 5.04

26. Strike 3, the batter is out Ball 4, the batter is awarded 1st base
41. Full count and no outs. A pitched ball bounced and passes through the strike zone, the batter takes the pitch. What is the call?
No pitch
Strike 3, the batter is out
Ball 4, the batter is awarded 1st base
3 Balls
2 Strikes
0 Outs

27. Ball 4, the batter is awarded 1st base
41. Full count and no outs. A pitched ball bounced and passes through the strike zone, the batter takes the pitch. What is the call?
Answer:
Ball 4, the batter is awarded 1st base
MLB – Definition of a “Ball”
0 Balls
0 Strikes
0 Outs

28. The BR will remain at 1st base The BR is awarded 2nd base
42. No one on base and no outs. The batter hits a grounder to short. The throw from F6 is high and F3 throws his glove and knocks the ball down. The BR stops on first and F3 gets the ball. What is the call?
The BR will remain at 1st base
The BR is awarded 2nd base
The BR is awarded 3rd base
0 Outs

29. The BR is awarded 2nd base
42. No one on base and no outs. The batter hits a grounder to short. The throw from F6 is high and F3 throws his glove and knocks the ball down. The BR stops on first and F3 gets the ball. What is the call?
Answer:
The BR is awarded 2nd base
MLB 5.06
0 Outs

30. 43. Is it legal to have 4 outfielders and only 3 infielders besides the pitcher and catcher?
Yes No

31. 43. Is it legal to have 4 outfielders and only 3 infielders besides the pitcher and catcher?
Answer:
Yes
MLB 5.02

32. 44. Bases loaded, two outs. The batter hits a ground ball to F5’s left
44. Bases loaded, two outs. The batter hits a ground ball to F5’s left. R2 stops and gets in a run-down and is tagged out after R3 touches home plate. Does R3’s run count?
Yes No
2 Outs

33. 44. Bases loaded, two outs. The batter hits a ground ball to F5’s left
44. Bases loaded, two outs. The batter hits a ground ball to F5’s left. R2 stops and gets in a run-down and is tagged out after R3 touches home plate. Does R3’s run count?
Answer: No
MLB – Definition “Force Play”, 5.08
3 Outs

34. The BR is out for sliding head first
45. No runners, 2 outs. The batter bunts towards 3rd base. The BR decides to slide into the bag head first because it is close. He reaches 1st safely, but his momentum carries him past the base. He ends up lying in fair territory, eight feet behind 1st base. The 1st baseman tags the BR immediately before he has a chance to get up. What is the correct call?
The BR is safe
The BR is out for sliding head first
The BR is out because he is in fair territory
The BR is out because he is off the bag.
2 Outs

35. 45. No runners, 2 outs. The batter bunts towards 3rd base
45. No runners, 2 outs. The batter bunts towards 3rd base. The BR decides to slide into the bag head first because it is close. He reaches 1st safely, but his momentum carries him past the base. He ends up lying in fair territory, eight feet behind 1st base. The 1st baseman tags the BR immediately before he has a chance to get up. What is the correct call?
Answer:
The BR is safe
MLB 5.09
2 Outs

36. BR gets 2nd and R1 gets home
46. No outs, runner on 1st. R1 is stealing 2nd when the batter bunts the ball to the 3rd baseman. R1 is past 2nd when the 3rd baseman’s throw to 1st goes into the stands. Place R1 and BR.
BR gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd
BR gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd
BR gets 2nd and R1 gets home
0 Outs

37. 46. No outs, runner on 1st. R1 is stealing 2nd when the batter bunts the ball to the 3rd baseman. R1 is past 2nd when the 3rd baseman’s throw to 1st goes into the stands. Place R1 and BR.
Answer:
BR gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd
MLB 5.06
0 Outs

38. BR gets 1st and R2 gets home BR gets 1st and R2 gets 3rd
47. No outs, runner on 2nd, the 3-2 pitch is called ball four and gets by the catcher and rolls toward the 1st base dugout. As the catcher attempts to retrieve the ball, he inadvertently knocks the ball into the dugout. Place R2 and BR.
BR gets 1st and R2 gets home
BR gets 1st and R2 gets 3rd
BR gets 2nd and R2 gets home
3 Balls
2 Strikes
0 Outs

39. BR gets 2nd and R2 gets home
47. No outs, runner on 2nd, the 3-2 pitch is called ball four and gets by the catcher and rolls toward the 1st base dugout. As the catcher attempts to retrieve the ball, he inadvertently knocks the ball into the dugout. Place R2 and BR.
Answer:
BR gets 2nd and R2 gets home
MLB 5.06
0 Balls
0 Strikes
0 Outs

40. BR is awarded 1st BR is awarded 3rd BR is awarded 2nd
48. Batter hits a grounder to short. The shortstop throws high and the 1st baseman throws his glove and hits the ball. Place the BR.
BR is awarded 1st
BR is awarded 3rd
BR is awarded 2nd

41. Answer: BR is awarded 2nd
48. Batter hits a grounder to short. The shortstop throws high and the 1st baseman throws his glove and hits the ball. Place the BR.
Answer:
BR is awarded 2nd
MLB 5.06

42. BR gets 2nd and R2 gets home BR gets 3rd and R2 gets home
49. No outs, runner on 2nd. Grounder to short. The shortstop throws the ball into the stands attempting to pick the BR off 1st after he had made a wide turn. R2 was past 3rd at the time of the throw. Place R2 and BR.
BR gets 2nd and R2 gets home
BR gets 3rd and R2 gets home
BR gets 2nd and R2 gets 3rd
0 Outs

43. BR gets 3rd and R2 gets home
49. No outs, runner on 2nd. Grounder to short. The shortstop throws the ball into the stands attempting to pick the BR off 1st after he had made a wide turn. R2 was past 3rd at the time of the throw. Place R2 and BR.
Answer:
BR gets 3rd and R2 gets home
MLB 5.06
0 Outs

44. 50. In the top of the 1st inning, the visitors have a 6-0 lead when the visiting pitcher is due to bat. The manager wants to save his starting pitcher, so he decides to pinch-hit for him. Is this legal?
Yes No

45. 50. In the top of the 1st inning, the visitors have a 6-0 lead when the visiting pitcher is due to bat. The manager wants to save his starting pitcher, so he decides to pinch-hit for him. Is this legal?
Answer: No
MLB 5.10

46. 51. In the bottom of the 5th a pinch-hitter bats for the pitcher
51. In the bottom of the 5th a pinch-hitter bats for the pitcher. In the top of the 6th, a new pitcher is warming up while the manager is telling the umpire that he wanted someone different than the pitcher now warming-up. Since the wrong pitcher has not delivered a pitch to the batter, may that pitcher be replaced with another?
Yes No

47. 51. In the bottom of the 5th a pinch-hitter bats for the pitcher
51. In the bottom of the 5th a pinch-hitter bats for the pitcher. In the top of the 6th, a new pitcher is warming up while the manager is telling the umpire that he wanted someone different than the pitcher now warming-up. Since the wrong pitcher has not delivered a pitch to the batter, may that pitcher be replaced with another?
Answer: No
MLB 5.10

48. The batter is out and R3 scores
52. Runner on 3rd, 1-2 count, no outs. The batter swings and misses but the ball hits the batter. The runner on 3rd crosses home plate when the ball bounces away from the catcher. What is your call?
The batter is out and R3 scores
The batter is not out and R3 returns to 3rd
The batter is out and R3 is returned to 3rd
1 Ball
2 Strikes
0 Outs

49. The batter is out and R3 is returned to 3rd
52. Runner on 3rd, 1-2 count, no outs. The batter swings and misses but the ball hits the batter. The runner on 3rd crosses home plate when the ball bounces away from the catcher. What is your call?
Answer:
The batter is out and R3 is returned to 3rd
MLB 5.09, 5.05
0 Ball
0 Strikes
1 Outs

50. 53. Batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called
53. Batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called. After the ball is put in play, the pitcher steps back off the rubber preparing to throw to first to make the appeal, R2 takes off for 3rd on a steal. Instead of throwing to first, the pitcher throws to 3rd attempting to retire R2, but R2 beats the throw. Can the defense now properly appeal at first base?
Yes No

51. 53. Batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called
53. Batter doubles but misses 1st base. “Time” is called. After the ball is put in play, the pitcher steps back off the rubber preparing to throw to first to make the appeal, R2 takes off for 3rd on a steal. Instead of throwing to first, the pitcher throws to 3rd attempting to retire R2, but R2 beats the throw. Can the defense now properly appeal at first base?
Answer: No
MLB 5.09 see the next play