1. The batter-runner overruns first base on a walk, makes no attempt to second base, and is tagged by the first baseman on her way back to first base. The batter-runner shall be called out. False (8-8-9)

2. The home team is supporting a charitable cause and has purchased pink softballs with the NFHS Authenticating Mark for use in a contest. Legal? False (1-3-1; 1-3-8; Adaptation 1)

3. With R1 on first, B2 hits a ground ball to F3 who tags R1 who is standing on first base. F3 then steps on first prior to B2 reaching the base. Both R1 and B2 are out. True (8-3-3)

4. Prior to the pitch, with no runners on base, the base umpire should be positioned 18-21 feet behind first base walking the line. True (Umpires Manual pg. 39, 50)

5. F1 steps on to the pitching plate with her hands together, takes a sign from the catcher, and then delivers the pitch. Legal? False (6-1-1a)

6. R1 is on third and R2 is on second with one out. The defensive coach instructs the pitcher to intentionally walk B4 and sends F3 behind the plate to back up F2. The pitcher then delivers the pitch. Legal? False (6-2-9)

7. F1 pitches the ball. B1 squares to bunt and (a) leaves the bat in the strike zone without making any movement towards the ball; or (b) makes a forward movement with the bat towards the ball. In both cases, B1 misses the ball. A strike shall be called in either case. True (2-8-2)

8. B1 swings and hits the ball. While running to first, she drops the bat in fair territory, and the rolling bat hits the ball. The batter shall be called out, and the ball is dead. True (7-4-13)

9. Team A has three players wearing pink headbands, two players wearing blue caps, two players wearing blue visors, two players wearing black headbands, and the remaining players wearing nothing on their heads. Legal? True (3-2-5; Adaptation 8)

10. Team B’s pitcher and third baseman are wearing protective masks while on defense. Legal? True (1-8-4)

11. After hitting a single, B1 rounds first base and immediately collides with F3. The umpire judges there to be obstruction by F3, signals and verbalizes the obstruction, and awards B1 second base at the end of playing action. This is proper procedure. True (8-4-3; Adaptation 4)

12. In the top of the third inning, a batter from Team A enters the batter’s box wearing a cracked helmet. Team A has had no previous equipment infractions. The illegal equipment shall be removed from the game and the umpire shall issue a warning to the head coach of Team A. True (3-5-1)

13. After five innings of play, the score is 3-2 in favor of the home team. The visiting team scores two runs to go ahead 4-3 in the top of the sixth. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, the game is ended due to thunderstorms. The final score shall be 3-2 in favor of the home team. True (4-2-2)

14. In the top of the second inning, the DP plays defense for the left fielder. Legal? True (3-3-6e)

15. R1 is on third base with no outs, and F5 is playing behind the bag a few steps near the foul line. B2 hits a hard one-hopper down the third base line that freezes R1 on the base. The ball hits R1, and the umpires judge that F5 could have made a play on the ball. R1 shall be declared out, and B2 is awarded first base. False (8-8-13; 5-1-1f)

16. The proper “strike” signal by the plate umpire is to extend the right index finger straight out, parallel to the ground. False (Official NFHS Softball Signals)

17. Due to illness, Team B arrives to the game site with only eight players. The game may still legally begin. False (4-3-1f)

18. With two strikes on B1, B1 swings at and misses the next pitch. The pitch strikes her in the arm. This is a dead-ball strike, and B1 is out. True (7-2-1g; 8-1-2b Penalty 2)

19. With a runner on third and no outs, B2 hits a high fly in the infield above the second baseman’s head. The base umpire erroneously calls, “Infield fly, the batter is out.” The second baseman subsequently drops the ball. The runner from third scores, and the batter-runner ends up on second base. The run counts, and batter-runner is safe at second. True (2-20; 2-30; 8-1-1a; 10-2-3)

20. With no outs and the bases empty, B1’s third strike is missed by F2, and the ball lodges between her body and her chest protector. While F2 searches for the ball, B1 advances to first then second base. Legal? True (7-4-6; 8-4-1g)

21. Substitute J. Smith, wearing number 18 for Team A, enters to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning. She reports to the umpire but is not listed on the lineup card. She should not be allowed to enter the game. False (3-3-1)

22. B1 swings at the pitch, which touches the bat, ricochets off the catcher’s helmet, and is caught by the catcher. This is a foul tip, and the ball remains live. False (2-25-2)

23. Contact is required in order for obstruction or interference to occur. False (2-32; 2-36)

24. While on the pitching plate, the pitcher must take or simulate taking a sign from the catcher in order to have a legal pitch. True (6-1-1b)

25. Team A’s head coach requests and is granted time to attend to her short stop who was injured on the previous play. At the same time, Team A’s assistant coach goes to the mound to visit with the pitcher. Charge Team A with a defensive conference. False (3-7-1)

26. With R1 on third, F2 returns the ball to F1 following the pitch. B2 steps out of the box to take a signal from the third-base coach, then returns to her position in the batter’s box within 10 seconds of F1 receiving the ball. F1 fails to make the next pitch within 20 seconds of receiving the ball. A ball shall be called on B2, and R1 is awarded home. False (6-2-3; 7-3-1)

27. The plate umpire should verbalize and/or use a hand signal to describe where a pitch missed the strike zone. False (Umpires Manual pg. 37)

28. B1 holds on to the bat and leans back to avoid an inside pitch, which hits her on the hands. This is a foul ball. False (8-1-2b)

29. With R1 on second, B2’s batted ball deflects off F1’s glove directly toward F6 who attempts to field the ball and make a play. R1 runs into F6, preventing her from getting to the ball. R1 is out for interference. True (2-32; 2-36; 2-47-2; 8-6-10a)

30. After walking B1, F2 returns the ball to F1 in the pitching circle. B1 overruns first base toward right field, turns left, and runs a few steps directly toward second base. She then stops and returns to first base. Legal? False (8-7-4c)

31. Between the third and fourth innings, while the umpire is reporting lineup changes to the official scorer, Team A’s pitcher throws 10 warm-up pitches. Legal? True (6-2-5 PENALTY)

32. With R1 on second base, B3 bats out of order. B3 hits a single, and R1 scores. The defensive team’s head coach asks for and receives time to appeal that B3 batted out of order. B2 shall be declared out; R1 returns to second; and B3 bats again. True (7-1-2 PENALTY)

33. With R1, R2, and R3 on third, second, and first, respectively, B5 hits a fly ball to F8 for the second out. All base runners appear to tag up and advance one base. F8’s throw to F5 retires R2 for the third out, but after R1 has scored. R3 did not tag up and was properly appealed by the defensive team for a fourth out situation. Cancel the run by R1. False (9-1-1 Exception d, e; 2-1-13)

34. A wild throw over first base hits the fence and rolls into an occupied media area. The ball is dead immediately, and all base runners are awarded two bases from the time of the throw. True (5-1-1o; 8-4-3f)

35. The pitcher for Team A is wearing numerous 2-inch bobby pins in her hair. The umpire shall instruct her to remove the bobby pins before she may participate. False (3-2-12 EXCEPTION)

36. The visiting team is ahead 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning when rain halts play. The game shall be suspended, and if made up, shall be resumed from the point of interruption. True (4-2-2; 4-2-3; Adaptation 13)

37. During the game, Team A’s head coach is sitting on a bucket in foul territory just outside the entrance to the dugout. The umpire shall issue a warning to the coach, with any subsequent offender being restricted to the dugout. True (3-6-6)

38. B1 one takes the first pitch to her for a ball and then steps out of the batter’s box. The catcher returns the ball to the pitcher in the circle. After 10 seconds, the batter remains outside the box to take signals from her coach. The umpire shall call a strike on the batter. True (7-3-1)

39. The phrase “Meets NOCSAE Standard” must appear on all batting helmets, face protectors, and catcher’s helmets. True (1-6-1; 1-6-6; 1-7-1)

40. The FLEX, T. Jones, enters to bat for the first baseman. Legal? False (3-3-6g)

41. With R1 on first and a full count on B2, R1 attempts to steal second on the next pitch, which is ball four. The base umpire, R1, and F4 do not realize it was ball four, and R1 is called out on the play. R1 heads for the bench and is tagged out during the confusion. The out on R1 shall stand. False (10-2-3m)

42. B1 hits a ground ball to F5 who throws to first. F3 mishandles the ball and ends up clamping it to her body with her forearm just as B1 touches first. B1 is out. False (2-9-6)

43. While on or off the pitching plate, the pitcher may legally take a sign from the coach. True (6-1-1b)

44. With runners on first and second and no outs, B3 bunts, which pops the ball up to F5. This is an infield fly and the batter is out. False (2-30)

45. Team A’s coach requests and is granted time three times in the fourth inning to go to the mound to visit with her struggling pitcher. This is legal, and the coach has used three defensive conferences. True (3-7-1)

46. With no runners on base or runners on first base only, and a play at first base, the plate umpire should jog 15-20 feet toward first base in fair territory to observe the play at first. True (Umpires Manual pg. 28)

47. With R1 on second, B2 bunts the ball down the first-base line. F3 fields the ball and runs toward B2. B2 then takes two steps back towards home in an attempt to avoid a tag by F3, while R1 heads for third. The ball is dead, B2 is out, and R1 must return to second. True (8-2-8)

48. B1 hits a ground ball to F5 whose throw to F3 is not in time to retire B1. B1, who has not been called out, believes that she is out, and enters her team’s dugout. She may legally return to first base. False (8-6-22)

49. The pitcher for Team A has the index and middle fingers of her pitching hand taped together. This is legal as long as the umpire does not judge the tape to be distracting to the batter. False (6-2-2)

50. The plate umpire shall verbalize all pitches judged to be “balls” by making a crisp, verbal call, “BALL.” True (Umpires Manual pg. 25)