2013 ASA Umpire Exam

Published and Distributed by the Amateur Softball Association USA Softball The examination consists of a series of questions covering Rules and Mechanics of the 2013 ASA Official Rule Book. Questions are true or false and multiple choice. Answers should be put on the answer sheet and returned to the grader or test committee. THE ANSWER SHEET SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED TO THE ASA NATIONAL OFFICE. The abbreviations used in the questions follow the following: B (N) = Batter; R1 = runner closest to home; R2 is the succeeding runner; R3 is the runner on first base when the bases are full; S (N) = substitutes; CR (N) = courtesy runner(s); PC (N) = physically challenged player; and F (N) = fielder by number. F1 is pitcher; F2 is catcher; F3 is first baseman; F4 is second baseman; F5 is third baseman; F6 is shortstop; F7 is left fielder; F8 is center fielder; and F9 is right fielder. If F10 is used it would be the extra fielder in the slow pitch game. This examination may be given to all ASA registered umpires under one of the following methods to be determined by your local state/metro ASA commissioner, local umpires association, local parks and recreation department, or military sports officer: 1) Under supervision without the use of the ASA Official Rule Book. 2) Under supervision using the ASA Official Rule Book. 3) With no supervision and using the ASA Official Rule Book. Retain the question portion of this examination for further study. Use care in marking your answer sheet. PLEASE COMPLETE THE EXAM BEFORE _________________________ (Date) After completing, mail or return the ANSWER SHEET ONLY to: GRADER________________________ STREET______________________________ CITY____________________________ STATE__________ ZIP_________________

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General Questions True / False

1. An altered bat is one in which the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed.

2. A dugout/team area is an out-of-play area designed for players and team representatives. 3. A charged conference is when a team representative requests a suspension of play or delays the game for the purpose of delivering a message to another team member, unless the pitcher is removed from the pitching position. 4. The sides of home plate parallel to the batters box lines shall be 17 wide X 8 1/2 long and the sides of the point facing the catcher are 12 long. 5. The ASA Bat Performance Standard does not include wooden bats. 6. The warm-up bat is not required to meet the same requirements of the safety grip as the official bat. 7. A mitt may only be worn by the catcher or first baseman.

8. If more than one player on the same team wears sliding pants, they must be like in color and style. 9. Knee and ankle braces which are unaltered from the manufacturers original designs/production do not require any additional padding/covering. 10. A team must have the required number of players present in the dugout or team area to start or continue a game. 11. A game may begin with one less player than required to start. 12. A player, who has entered the game as a substitute and has been removed, may not re-enter the game. 13. If an injury to a batter-runner or runner prevents them from proceeding to an awarded base(s) and the ball becomes dead, a substitute for the injured player may enter the game and will be allowed to proceed to and touch any awarded base(s). 14. A disqualified player is prohibited from playing but can remain in the team area or serve as a coach/manager. 15. A team may play shorthanded if a player is ejected and there are no substitutes available. 16. An umpire who is bleeding or has blood on their uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered. 17. During a live ball situation, when a player becomes injured, and in the umpires judgment requires immediate attention, the umpire shall call dead ball. 18. When a coach, player, substitute or other bench personnel is outside the designated bench, dugout/team area after being warned, that person should be ejected from the game. 19. The on-deck batter shall take a position within the lines of either on-deck circle.

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20. The batting order shall show the first initial and last name in the order in which the players are scheduled to bat. 21. When a base is awarded by an umpire in error, that error cannot be corrected after a pitch. 22. The runner is out when running to any base in regular or reverse order and the runner runs more than three feet from the base line to avoid being touched by the ball in the hand or glove of a fielder. 23. If a forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats for any reason towards the base first occupied, the force play is reinstated and the runner may again be put out if the defense tags the runner or the base to which the runner is forced. 24. When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into the defensive player the ball is dead and the runner is out. All runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the crash. In all cases, the offensive player initiating the crash is ejected. 25. When a runner abandons a base and enters the team area or leaves live ball territory, the ball is dead, that runner is out and all other runner(s) must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the infraction. 26. Adult participants may smoke but may not use alcohol beverages inside the dugout area during a game. 27. When a batter enters the batters box with or is discovered using an altered or non-approved bat, they shall be ejected from the game and if in a tournament may be subject to future penalties by the Tournament Protest Committee. 28. A player removed from the game for a rule violation is considered a/an: A. Disqualified player. B. Ejected player. C. Suspended player. D. None of the above.

29. A fair ball is a legally batted ball that: A. First falls or is touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second or third base. B. While over fair territory , leaves the playing field beyond the outfield fence. C. Bounds over or past first or third base, which is in fair territory, regardless of where the ball hits after going over the base. D. All the above.

30. If the base or the pitching distance is found to be at the wrong dimensions during the course of the game: A. Wait until the completion of that inning and correct the error. B. Correct the error immediately with no penalty and continue playing. C. Wait until the half inning is completed and correct the error. D. Correct the error immediately and restart the game.

31. If the umpire requests a player to remove jewelry or illegal parts of the uniform and the player refuses, the player will: A. Not be allowed to play. B. Be ejected. C. Be disqualified. D. None of the above.

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32. Players wearing metal cleats after being warned by the umpire, shall be: A. Disqualified. B. Ejected. C. Allowed to play after removing the metal cleats. D. Is called out.

33. When a player enters the game without reporting to the umpire, that player is considered an: A. Illegal player. B. Ineligible player. C. Unreported substitute. D. None of the above.

34. Illegal players include A. A player who returns to pitch after being removed from the pitching position by the umpire. B. Placing a FLEX player in one of the first nine positions in the batting order for someone other than the DP. C. An offensive player who is placed in the line-up as a runner for another offensive player. D. All of the above.

35. With two outs, R1 on 2B and R2 on 1B, B5 hits a single up the middle and is thrown out going into 2B. Before the third out, R1 scores and R2 advances to 3B but misses 2B on the way. The defensive team makes a fourth out appeal on R2 missing 2B. The correct ruling is: A. The umpire rules R2 out on a fourth out appeal and nullifies R1s run. B. The umpire does not uphold the appeal and rules that R1s run scores. C. The umpire rules that R2 is out at 2B on a force out with the appeal and R1s run is nullified. D. There is no such thing as a fourth out appeal.

36. With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, B4 hits a base hit to the gap in right center field. R1 scores, R2 heads toward 3B but misses 2B and B4 seeing the throw go to 3B for a play on R2, heads toward 2B. F6 cuts off the throw and throws the ball back to 2B where B4 is tagged out for the second out. After the ball goes back to F1, the defensive team appeals that R2 missed 2B and since that was a force out, R1s run could not score. What is the proper ruling? A. The umpire calls R2 out at 2B on a force out for the third out and nullifies R1s run. B. The umpire calls R2 safe at 2B and allows the run to score since the defense played on B4, making it too late to appeal R2 missing 2B. C. The umpire rules that R2 is out at 2B on the appeal, B4 must return to 1B and R1 must return to 3B. D. The umpire rules that R2 is out at 2B for the third out on the appeal and allows R1s run to score since this is no longer a force out.

37. The score of a forfeit game shall be: A. 1-0. B. 7-0. C. If the offending team is leading, the score shall be 7-0; otherwise, the score shall be the score at the time of the forfeit if the team ahead at the time of the forfeit is not the offending team. E. 11-0.

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38. If batting out of order is discovered while the incorrect batter is still at bat: A. The correct batter must take the position of the of the incorrect batter and assume the ball and strike count. B. Any runner who has advanced while the incorrect batter was at bat, shall return to their original base. C. Any runs scored shall be nullified. D. All the above.

39. In a Womens Adult game with no outs and B1 scheduled to bat, B3 bats and grounds out. Before the first pitch to B4, the defensive team appeals batting-out-of-order. What is the ruling? A. The batter who should have batted, B1 is out and B2 is the next batter. B. B3 is out and B4 is the next batter. C. The batter who should have batted, B1 is out and B3 remains out. The next batter is in the order will be B2. D. The batter who should have batted, B1 is out and B3 remains out. The next batter is B4.

40. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstruction occurred except if the obstructed runner: A. Commits an act of interference. B. Passes another runner. C. Misses a base. D. All of the above.

41. When a fielder intentionally contacts or catches a fair batted ball with any part of the uniform or equipment that is detached from its proper place: A. It is a delayed dead ball and the batter and runners are entitled to three bases from the time of the pitch. B. It is a dead ball and the batter and runners are awarded three bases. C. It is a delayed dead ball and the batter and runners are entitled to two bases from the time of the pitch. D. It is a dead ball and the batter and runners are awarded two bases.

42. When a fielder intentionally contacts or catches a fair thrown ball with any part of the uniform or equipment that is detached from its proper place: A. It is a delayed dead ball and the batter and runners are entitled to three bases from the time of the throw. B. It is a dead ball and the batter and runners are awarded three bases from the time of the throw. C. It is a delayed dead ball and the batter and runners are entitled to two bases from the time of the throw. D. It is a dead ball and the batter and runners are awarded two bases from the time of the th

43. With R1 on 1B, B2 hits a ground ball to F6 who quickly fields the ball and overthrows F3 and the ball rolls into the 1B dugout. At the time the ball entered the dugout, R1 just stepped on 2B. The umpire awards: A. R1 3B and B2 2B. B. R1 2B and B2 1B. C. R1 Home and B2 2B. D. R1 Home and B2 3B..

44. When a game is being played under protest, who should immediately notify the plate umpire? A. The Manager. B. The Acting Manager. C. The Captain. D. Any of the above.

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45. An umpire may suspend play when: A. In their judgment, conditions justify such actions. B. An umpire calls time to perform other duties. C. A batter or pitcher steps out of position for a legitimate reason. D. All of the above.

MECHANICS QUESTIONS TRUE / FALSE

46. For a routine Safe or No Catch call, the umpire should move to the proper position, stand up-right, bring their feet together and face square to the play with eyes on the ball. 47. For a routine Out and Strike call, the umpire should stand up-right with feet shoulder width apart, facing square to the play with eyes on the ball. Bring their left hand up belt high and bring their right hand and arm out to the side of the body and up to a 90 degree angle with the closed fist facing forward. 48. When the plate umpire gives the Hold Up Play signal, the umpire should stand upright, with their feet shoulder-width apart while facing the pitcher and hold up the hand opposite the batter with the palm facing the pitcher. 49. For a Home Run signal, the umpire should raise their right arm above their head with a closed fist and the index finger pointing straight up. 50. When requesting help from your partner as the Base Umpire in a Two Umpire System, always make the call first and then go for help, if needed.

SLOW PITCH SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TRUE / FALSE

51. (SP) With a runner starting at second base only or with multiple runners starting on bases, the Base Umpires starting position should be behind or off of the second baseman and shading the lead runner. This position should be adjusted based on the depth and location of the second baseman and any additional players positioned in the infield. 52. (SP) If the umpire mistakenly allows two intentional walks at one time and the first batter fails to touch first base, an appeal shall be honored on the first batter 53. (SP w/Stealing) If a pitched ball is caught by the batter prior to hitting the ground behind home plate, the Plate Umpire should give a dead ball signal and rule the pitch a ball or strike depending on the location of the pitch. 54. (SP w/Stealing) A batter awarded first base on ball four is allowed to advance to second base if there is a play on another runner. 55. (SP) To start a Co-ed game with one team playing under the shorthanded rule with either three players in the infield or outfield, at least one must be male and at least one must be female.

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FAST PITCH SPECIFIC QUESTIONES TRUE / FALSE

51. (FP) Prior to the pitch, at least one foot must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitchers plate. 52. (FP) The pitcher must not make more than one and a half revolutions of the arm on the windmill pitch. 53. (FP) If the pitcher desires to walk a batter intentionally, all pitches must be legally delivered to the batter. 54. (FP) For each legally pitched ball swung at and missed by the batter, the ball is live and runners may advance with liability to be put out. 55. (FP) While F1 has the ball in the 8 foot circle, the batter-runner who over-runs first base toward right field, and turns right, is committed to first base and must return non- stop to first base unless a play is made on any runner.

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