NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
RULES EXAMINATION – 2014
ALL FIELDS REGULATION - 2 UMPIRE SYSTEM
GIRLS FAST PITCH RULES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
Read the statement EXACTLY as written. IF ANY PART of the statement is false, mark it false.
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ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS:
1.A runner can be obstructed by a fielder’s verbal call.
2.A bat is illegal and may not be used unless the words “Official Softball” are visible.
3.With no runners on base, the plate umpire is responsible for catch/no catch on all fly balls unless the base umpire goes out.
4.With a runner(s) on base, the base umpire is responsible for catch/no catch on fly balls hit from the left fielder to the right fielder, regardless of whether he/she goes out.
MORE ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS:
5.In the case of batting out of order, the player that batted out of turn is declared out if a proper appeal is made before the next pitch.
6.In the case of batting out of order, when a proper appeal is made, runners called out must return to the last bases occupied at the time of the pitch.
7.The bat grip shall be 10 - 15 inches long.
8.Bats with the ASA 2013 Certification Mark are legal in fast pitch.
EVEN MORE ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS:
9.Headbands with mixed colors are illegal.
10.With the look-back rule (a/k/a circle rule) in effect, if BR overruns 1st base and starts back to the base, BR still may attempt to advance to 2nd base.
11.With R2 on 2nd base, B3 hits a hard grounder to F5. The plate umpire shall trail the batter-runner.
12.On a routine play at 1st base with no runners on base, the base umpire should obtain an angle approximately 90 degrees from the throw.
YET EVEN MORE ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS:
13.With no runners on base, the batter hits the ball sharply to right field and the right fielder may make a play on BR at 1st base. The base umpire should move 15 feet from 1st base on a direct line on the 1st – 2nd base line.
14.When there is a runner on base, the base umpire should be angled toward the lead runner.
15.A tag play can never result in a force out.
16.An appeal play can never result in a force out.
ABOUT NEW RULES – SOFTBALL BATS:
17.A bat without the words, “Official Softball,” does not necessarily disqualify the bat.
18.The on-deck batter may use either on-deck circle.
19.All bats must have THE 2013 ASA Certification Mark.
20.All bats must meet the provisions of ASA Rule 3, Section 1.
ABOUT 3-FOOTLANE INTERFERENCE:
21.It is not interference if F2 withdraws her throw because of B1’s position outside the 3-foot running lane.
22.3-foot lane interference cannot occur on a throw to the plate.
23.3-foot lane interference cannot occur on a throw from foul territory.
24.The ball is delayed-dead when 3-foot lane interference occurs.
ABOUT BASE LINES AND BASE PATHS:
25.A base line is an imaginary line directly between bases.
26.A runner may never run out of the base line.
27.A base path is a line directly between a base and the runner’s position at the time a fielder attempts to tag a runner.
28.A runner who runs out of her base path to avoid a tag is out and the ball is delayed-dead.
ABOUT OVERTHROWS INTO DEAD BALL TERRITORY:
29.On the first throw by an infielder all runners are awarded two bases from their positions at the time of the throw.
30.When two runners are between 1st and 2ndbases the awards are based on the position of the trailing runner.
31.The runner is always awarded the base she is going to plus one extra base.
32.The ball is in play if the ball rebounds out of the dugout back into playable foul territory.
ABOUT 3rd STRIKE RULES:
33.If the batter-runner runs in violation of the 3rd strike rule and draws a throw from the catcher the ball is always immediately dead.
34.The batter is automatically out after three strikes when 1st base is occupied with fewer than two out.
35.The batter-runner can legally touch either the colored or white portion of the base when a fielder makes a play from foul ground.
36.Any time the batter swings and misses for strike three, the umpire should bellow, “Strike three, the batter is out!”
ABOUT INFIELD FLY SITUATIONS:
37.It may be called if the ball is bunted high in the air.
38.The ball is alive if an infielder intentionally drops it.
39.An infield fly may be called if a catcher is able to catch the fly ball with ordinary effort.
40.An infield fly may be called if an outfielder settles under a fly ball in the infield that could have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.
ABOUT THE DOUBLE 1st BASE:
41.F6’s offline throw pulls F3 into foul territory. F3 secures the ball in her glove and contacts the colored portion of the base before the BR reaches 1st base. BR is out.
42.BR beats the throw to 1st base but only contacts the white portion of 1st base in violation of the rule. The base umpire shall declare the BR out immediately.
43.After the BR reaches 1st base safely, she stands on the colored portion of the base to speak to the 1st base coach. The pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle and doesn’t attempt to make on play. The base umpire shall declare the runner out.
44.The double 1st base is optional in modified play.
ABOUT APPEAL PLAYS:
45.It is an appeal play when R1 is doubled off 1st base by F6’s throw before R1 retouches the bag after F6’s catch of B1’s line drive.
46.It is an appeal play when B1 beats F6’s throw to 1st base but misses the base and is tagged after overrunning 1st and while returning to 1st base.
47.It is an appeal play when R1 slides by home plate without touching home and is tagged by a diving F2.
48.It is an appeal play when F2 asks for help following a ball call on B1’s attempt to stop her swing.
ABOUT TOUGH CALLS:
49.In terms of a hit-by-pitch, the batter’s hands are considered part of the bat.
50.A batter who “freezes” and gets hit by a pitched ball cannot be awarded 1st base.
51.On close tag plays, a runner who doesn’t slide must be called out.
52.On a dropped 3rd strike, a batter-runner is not permitted to take a few steps toward her dugout, and before entering dead ball territory, attempt to advance to 1st base.
ABOUT A LEGAL CATCH:
53.It is a legal catch when a fielder controls the ball in her glove but drops the ball when she contacts the ground.
54.It is a legal catch when a fielder controls the ball in her glove for two seconds but drops the ball when she contacts another fielder.
55.It is a legal catch when a fielder controls the ball in her glove but drops the ball after she contacts the outfield fence.
56.A legal catch occurs when a fielder controls the ball in her glove and holds in long enough to prove control and/or the release of the ball is voluntary.
ABOUT PLATE UMPIRE MECHANICS:
57.The plate umpire’s chin should never drop below the top of the catcher’s helmet when calling balls and strikes.
58.The plate umpire will rule on all fair/foul decisions unless the base umpire on the foul line goes to the outfield to rule on a possible catch.
59.The plate umpire will make all calls at third base.
60.The base umpire will make all calls at home whenever the plate umpire covers third base.
ABOUT BASE UMPIRE MECHANICS:
61.Getting close to a play is more important than obtaining a good angle.
62.When ruling on a catch in the outfield always turn and face the infield when announcing your decision.
63.Always agree with the plate umpire’s decision when asked for help on a checked swing.
64.When a batter is struck with her batted ball near the plate and the plate umpire does not respond call, “Dead Ball!”
PLAYS AT THE PLATE
65.For force plays to home plate, the plate umpire should be approximately 15-18 feet from home plate on the 1st base line extended.
66.For on-line throws to home plate, the plate umpire should be approximately 6-8 feet from home plate on the 1st base line extended.
67.For off-line throws to home plate, the plate umpire should be approximately 6-8 feet from home plate on the 3rd base line extended.
68.For on-line throws to home plate, the plate umpire should be approximately 6-8 feet up the 3rd base line toward 3rd base.
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SELECT THE BEST ANSWER FOR EACH QUESTION
D – DEAD BALL IMMEDIATELY
DD – DELAYED DEAD BALL
L – BALL ALIVE AND IN PLAY
69.R2 is struck by a declared infield fly while touching 2nd base and the nearest fielder is behind the base.
70.The baserunner intentionally removes her helmet during live playing action.
71.Batter hits an illegal pitch. At the time of the illegal pitch, the ball is ___.
72.A batted ball is touched by a thrown glove.
73.A confused runner runs back to a previously occupied base.
74.R1 is on 1st base and R3 on 3rd base with no outs. R3 uses a running start from behind 3rd base and not in contact with the base when a F7 first touches a caught fly ball.
75.The batter swings and misses the third strike as the pitched ball hits her foot.
76.The base umpire declares a runner out for leaving the base prior to the pitcher’s release of the pitch.
MULTIPLE CHOICE – SELECT THE BEST RESPONSE TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
- The batting order is Alice, Betty, Cindy, Dana, etc. It is Alice’s turn to bat, but Cindy erroneously bats and hits a double. Next, Alice strikes out. Then, Betty strikes out. It is now Cindy’s turn to bat but Cindy is on 2nd base:
- Cindy is declared out;
- Cindy is skipped over but remains on 2nd base and Dana becomes the proper batter;
- Cindy is removed from 2nd base and takes her place in the batter’s box;
- Cindy is removed from 2nd base and Dana comes to bat.
- The batter is ejected from the game:
- Without warning if she attempts to make the pitcher make an illegal pitch;
- If she uses or attempts to use an illegal bat;
- If she intentionally allows a pitch to strike her;
- If she enters the batter’s box with an altered or non-approved bat.
- A fair ball is ruled when:
- A pop fly drops untouched behind the pitcher’s circle and bounces foul between home and first base;
- A line drive strikes the pitcher’s plate and deflects directly into foul territory between home and first base;
- A line drive passes over third base but is first touched in foul territory beyond the base;
- A batted ball first falls or is touched on or over fair territory beyond 1st, 2nd or 3rdbase.
- If the pitching distance is found to be incorrect during a game:
- The plate umpire will dutifully step off the distance by cautiously placing one front in front of the other being careful to maintain his or her balance;
- If incorrect the distance will be corrected immediately without penalty;
- If found to be incorrect, the distance will be corrected at the top of the next full inning;
- The game will be started over as a new game.
- If prior to the game a player refuses to remove jewelry deemed as dangerous by the umpire:
- The player will be ejected from the game;
- The player will be disqualified from the game;
- The player will be prohibited from playing until she removes the objectionable jewelry;
- The player will be ejected from the game and suspended for one additional game.
- When the tie-breaker rule is instituted:
- It’s the responsibility of the umpire & scorer to notify the teams involved which player will be placed at 2nd base;
- There is no penalty if an incorrect tie-breaker runner is discovered but the correct runner will be placed on base;
- The proper tie-breaker runner is the player scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning;
- All of the above are true.
- When a legal substitute player enters the game without being reported to the umpire:
- There’s no penalty and the player becomes a legal player;
- The player upon discovery becomes an ineligible player;
- The player upon discovery is disqualified from the game;
- The player upon discovery on offense is declared out but becomes a legal player.
- About declaring forfeits:
- A game is not forfeited if a player previously ejected for unsporting conduct is discovered playing in the game but the player is ejected from the game for a second time and is automatically suspended for two additional games;
- Only the umpire-in-chief may forfeit a game;
- The base umpire may forfeit a game but the umpire-in-chief must agree and may reverse the forfeit;
- Both the plate umpire and the base umpire have equal authority to forfeit a game.
- About coach’s boxes:
- The base coach must remain within the lines of the coach’s box throughout the game;
- The base coach may never be charged with interference while within the confines of the coach’s box;
- A runner is always out if a coach is struck by a thrown ball while out of the coach’s box;
- None of the above is true.
- The legal pitching distance for junior varsity is:
- 46-feet
- 43-feet
- 40-feet
- 40-feet or 43-feet
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LIST THE PROPER BASE AWARDED AFTER EACH QUESTION:
FIRST BASE = 1SECOND BASE = 2
THIRD BASE = 3HOME = H
87.R1 is standing on 1st base when the batter accidentally hinders F2’s return throw to F1. The ball goes out of play. R1 is awarded ____.
88.R1 from 1st base running on B1’s long hit to the outfield is nearing 3rd base and easily scores when the ball bounces over the outfield fence. R1 is awarded ___.
89.R3 is on 3rd base when F1 commits an illegal pitch that strikes B1. R3 is awarded ___.
90.R2 is on 2nd base with two outs when B1 hits safely to center field. F6 obstructs R2 as she advances and R2 is thrown out on a close play at home on F8’s throw. R2 is awarded ___.
91.F2 throws to F3 attempting to pickoff R1 at 1st base. Sliding back into 1st base, R1’s foot knocks the ball out of F3’s glove and the ball enters dead ball territory. R1 is awarded ____.
92.R1 is returning to 1st base after a caught fly ball by F8. R1 is between 1st and 2nd base when F8 releases the thrown ball that enters dead ball territory. R1 is awarded ____.
93.F2’s attempted pickoff of R1 at first base deflects off F3’s glove and enters dead ball area. R1 is awarded ____.
94.Ball four goes out of play. B1 is awarded ____.
Using the letters on the diagram above, select the BEST position for the umpire to judge the play. A letter may be used more than once.
PLATE UMPIRE ONLY
95.There is a play at the plate with an off-line throw.
96.There is a play at 3rd base when R1 attempts to advance to 3rd base on B2’s bunt.
97.R1 on 1st base. Fly ball to left field. Initial aiming point.
BASE UMPIRE ONLY
98.No runners on base. Ball hit to left field. Initial aiming point.
99.No runners on base. Batter bunts.
100.No runners on base. B1 attempts a triple. Play at 3rd base.