2008 Level II Umpire Exam

R1. The pitcher is on the mound with his pivot foot "off" the rubber. He reaches up and touches his pitching hand to his mouth. This is a balk.

R2. The second baseman has the ball hidden in his glove. The pitcher assumes his position on the rubber without the ball as R2 takes his lead off second base. The sly second sacker darts over and tags out the surprised runner. R2 is out.

R1 and R3 with one out. The batter chops a high hopper towards shortstop. The shortstop charges in and fields the batted ball. He fires to second to start the double play, but his throw hits the umpire. All runners are safe and one run scores. The play stands.

1-1 count. The batter squares around and bunts the next pitch directly toward the pitcher.
The ball strikes the ground and spins back through the catcher's legs without being
touched and then strikes the umpire who is standing in foul territory behind the plate.
This is a foul ball.

R1 and R3 with nobody out. The batter smashes a sharp ground ball that accidentally
strikes R3 in fair territory while he is still in contact with the base. The third baseman is
playing on the line behind the runner. R3 is out.

Outfielder, in making a difficult play, catches a fly ball and falls to the ground and rolls over causing him to drop the ball. This is a catch.

While fielding a bunted ball, the third baseman deflects the fair ball into foul territory. Foul Ball.

Line drive hits the chalk line in right field. This is a fair ball.

With less than two outs, the batter foul tips the third strike directly into the catcher's
glove as R1 steals second base. The ball is dead and the runner must return to first base.

R1 and R3, one out. Batter hits a high fly ball to the second baseman. This is an infield fly.

R1, pitched ball is missed by the catcher and strikes the plate umpire. Runner advances to second. This is umpire interference.

A fielder attempts to field a batted ball and bumps into an umpire, causing the fielder to miss the ball. This is umpire interference.

R1. On an attempted steal, the umpire interferes with the catcher's throw that does not retire R1. This is umpire interference. The ball is dead and R1 returns to first.

Batter with two strikes bunts the third strike foul. The batter is out.

Able on first, Baker up to bat and Charlie on-deck. With two outs, three balls and two strikes on the batter, R1 is picked off by the pitcher and tagged out attempting to steal second. Charlie is the lead off batter in the top of the next inning.

R2 and R3, R2 becomes confused and runs to third although not forced to do so, placing two runners on third base at the same time. The second runner (R2) is out when tagged.

Runner going from second to third base on the pitch falls over the shortstop who is standing in the base line not fielding a batted ball. The third base-man jogs over and tags the runner with the ball. This is obstruction.

R1. The batter smashes a line drive to the second baseman who catches the ball and then steps on second base while R1 returns to 1st base. R1 is out on the force play.

R1 going from first to second base accidentally comes in contact with the second baseman who is fielding a batted ball. This is unintentional interference, the ball is dead and R1 is placed on second base. The BR is placed on first base.

R1 and R2. Pitcher commits a balk on a pitch that the batter hits to the outfield. The umpire should permit all runners to advance as far as they choose at their own risk.

A thrown ball accidentally strikes the third base coach while he is within the coaches' box. The ball remains alive and in play.

A batted ball, which strikes 3rd base and bounces into the dugout is a fair ball.

The pitcher is entitled to as many pitches as the pitcher deems necessary before the start of each inning.

A balk can be called on a pitcher while no runners are on base.

A pitched ball hits the sleeve of the batter's uniform, but does not hit the batter himself. The umpire should award the batter first base.

R2 with 1 out. The pitcher from the rubber steps toward 2nd base and feints a throw. This is a balk and R2 goes to third.

R1 with a 1-1 count. The pitcher does not come to a complete stop before delivering the ball to the batter and a balk is called. The batter hits a single to right field and the runners end up on first and second. The umpire should enforce the balk.

The umpire must change baseballs when requested to do so by the pitcher.

R1 and R3 and 1 out. The shortstop intentionally drops a fair fly ball. The ball is dead and the batter is out.

Appeals on a half swing may be made on either a ball or strike and the plate umpire must refer to the base umpire for his judgement.

Players who have been substituted for may remain on the bench or warm up pitchers.

The batter hits a single to RF. The right fielder, seeing the BR make a wide turn, throws to 1st in an attempt to get the retreating runner. The throw enters the dugout. The BR is awarded 3rd.

The batter is hit by a pitch. The ball is dead.

The umpire must declare the ball dead by calling time if he wishes to examine the ball.

Each runner including the BR shall be awarded two bases from the time of pitch when a fair batted ball goes under the outfield fence.

The ball can be either alive or dead when the defense makes an appeal for a missed base.

The pitcher can take his signs while on the rubber or while straddling the rubber.

One out, Jones on third, Smith on first, and Brown flies out to right field. Two outs. Jones tags up and scores after the catch. Smith attempted to return to first but the right fielder's throw beat him to the base. Three outs. But Jones scored before the throw to catch Smith reached first base, hence Jones' run counts. It was not a force play

A batted ball which first bounces on home plate is a foul ball.

A fielder has made a catch and drops the ball in the act of making a throw. Umpire rules the ball caught.

After the umpire declares a foul ball, all runners must tag up.

Any umpire may call time.

R1. The pitcher is behind the rubber with the ball when he makes a quick throw to first base in an attempt to get R1. The ball is thrown into dead ball area. R1 should be awarded third base.

A batter has one foot on the ground completely out of the batter's box when the pitch is on the way. To be called out the batter must make contact with the ball. Not just swing at and miss the pitch.

When catcher's interference occurs a dead ball is called immediately.

At the Mosquito and Major Little League level shoes with metal cleats or "spikes" are prohibited. Rubber moulded cleats or running shoes are permitted.

The pitcher balks and does not throw the ball or deliver a pitch. The ball is dead.

R1. The pitcher starts to deliver the ball but accidentally falls. This is NOT a balk. This is a do-over.

R1 with 1 out. The pitcher accidentally drops the ball while standing on the rubber. This is a balk, the ball is dead and R1 is awarded 2nd.

R1 and R2 with one out. The batter bunts the ball and it is popped up high in the air and is caught by the pitcher. This is an infield fly.