Franklin Baseball & Softball League, Franklin, Michigan

2019 Rule Test

Franklin Baseball League
Managers, Coaches and Umpire Rules Test

Please refer to the Franklin Baseball & Softball League Rules (and appropriate official baseball and softball rule books) to answer all of the following questions, which are a selection of certain rules - not all of the rules. Please complete the General Rules section and all sections for all Divisions you are involved in as a manager or coach. Umpires should complete all divisions they are eligible to Umpire .

Results will typically be e-mailed to you within 7 days of the test being taken

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Phone:

* Email Address:

Enter (all) Divisions involved in (NOTE you must take the sections for ALL Divisions you are involved in - for umpires this includes ALL Divisions you are qualified to umpire in - i.e. Softball and lower divisions even if you do not typically umpire those games):

Prep

Continental I & II

Little League

Pony

Novice Softball

Intermediate Softball

Senior Softball

Team Name(s):

Enter (all) Roles you fulfil

Manager

Assistant/Coach

Umpire

Other

Complete the sections for ALL Divisions you are involved in.

(For a manager this is all Divisions you are coaching in,
For an Umpire it is for all Divisions you are qualified to Umpire in)

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL DIVISIONS

1. It is game time but heavy rain is falling. What is the appropriate procedure to handle this situation?

* 1:

A. If the conditions are not suitable for playing, the umpires may cancel the game before it starts.

B. Managers will wait a minimum of 15 minutes to see if conditions clear allowing the game to be played.

C. If the game has started the managers may decide to cancel the game.

2. When a manager is working out the fielding assignments prior to a game or making changes during a game which of the following applies?

* 2:

A. No player shall sit out (not play in the field) more than 2 innings in a game and no player may sit out for a second inning until everyone has sat out for one inning.

B. Managers have complete discretion in making fielding assignments.

C. Managers may assign players to outfield positions for the entire game.

3. Prior to the start of a game which of the following is True?

* 3:

A. The managers of the opposing teams can agree to change the rules and if they so agree the umpires will enforce the changed rule

B. If one of the teams has less than the minimum of 8 players the game can begin with the opposing team lending players to the team which is short.

C. Managers (or Acting Managers) must meet with the umpires for a pre-game meeting.

4. For safety reasons, when not directly involved in the game, the coaches, managers and players must remain in the dugout and clear of the dugout gate at all times. The dugout is…

* 4:

A. A great place for grandparents and siblings to hang out and visit with the players.

B. Where managers must be unless he/she has requested a time out AND a timeout has been granted.

C. A great place to set up a tailgate of food in case players get hungry between innings.

5. The game started on time at 6:30 and it is now 8:15 in the top of the 4th inning and it is getting dark. What should happen?

* 5:

A. The two managers meet and decide to continue and the game proceeds.

B. The umpires meet and decide if conditions allow the game to continue.

C. One of the managers must contact the Division Director for a decision to about whether or not to continue.

6. A batted ball that either hits first or third base is?

* 6:

A. Foul Ball

B. A fair ball if it then bounces into fair territory

C. A fair ball if it bounces into foul territory

D. Both B and C

7. What is the call when two runners end up on the same base?

* 7:

A. Both are automatically out

B. The lead runner must try to advance to the next base

C. The lead runner is entitled to the base, the trailing runner must try to go back to the previous base

D. Play is dead and the trailing run is permitted to return to the previous base.

8. True or false? A batter who is hit by a pitch without making an effort to get out of the way or if the ball is in the strike zone will not be awarded first base.

* 8:

True

False

9. While the pitcher is warming up prior to the start of an inning a manager or coach crosses the baseline to talk with the pitcher. During the same inning the manager requests and is granted a time out to visit the pitcher on the mound. Which of the following applies?

* 9:

A. This situation constitutes one mound visit and the pitcher may continue in the game at the manager’s discretion.

B. The in-game visit was the second mound visit in the inning and the pitcher must be replaced.

C. The in-game visit was the second mound visit in the inning and the pitcher must exchange positions with the first baseman.

10. What happens if a manager makes a trip to the mound twice during the same player’s at-bat?

* 10:

A. The batter is awarded first base

B. The manager is warned that a third trip will be lead to ejection

C. The manager is ejected if he is warned on the way to the mound

D. The offensive team is awarded a run for delay of game.

11. What happens when a batter bunts the ball foul with two strikes against him?

* 11:

A. The batter stays alive and continues to have two strikes

B. The batter is out unless the ball leaves the playing field on a fly

C. The batter is out

12. If two umpires should simultaneously make conflicting calls, how is the situation settled?

* 12:

A. The decision of the umpire closest to the play stands

B. The two umpires involved confer and come to an agreement

C. The umpire flips a coin to see which call is official.

13. True or false: If a thrown ball hits an umpire, play continues

* 13:

True

False

14. A first baseman attempting to catch a popup in foul territory fails to make the catch after running into the first base coach. What is the umpire’s call?

* 14:

A. A batter is assessed a strike

B. The coach is in no obligation to get out of the way, so there is no call

C. If, in the judgement of the umpire, the coach made no attempt to get out of the way, interference is called and the batter is out

D. The coach must spend the rest of the game in the dugout.

15. A batter's foot is completely out of the batter's box when he swings and misses the ball. The umpire:

* 15:

A. Calls a dead ball strike

B. Rules that there was no pitch

C. Calls the batter out

D. Offers the batter his first and only warning

16. When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, what happens?

* 16:

A. The proper batter is called out.

B. If the team scores, the run is legal.

C. The improper batter becomes the proper batter.

D. The next batter is the batter whose name follows that of the improper batter.

17. How is a decision made to call a batter out for throwing his/her bat?

* 17:

A. It is solely the umpire’s judgement of whether or not a player’s action constitutes throwing the bat.

B. A batter must first be given a warning after the first occurrence during the game.

C. The player’s manager must concur with the umpire that the bat was thrown.

18. With a runner on 3rd base a ground ball is hit to the shortstop, who throws the ball to the catcher. The catcher is standing in front of home plate along the 3rd baseline. The runner from 3rd intentionally collides with the catcher. Which outcome is correct:

* 18:

A. The runner scores if he/she beats the throw and evades the tag.

B. The runner is out if he/she is tagged out.

C. The runner is out and ejected from the game because of the intentional collision.

19. It is the bottom of the third inning with the home team ahead by 6 runs and the pitcher has just walked the 4th batter in a row to force home another run. Time has been called, the two managers converse and then approach the plate umpire and say that they have agreed that the strike zone be changed so that there won’t be so many walks. They further explain that such a change is a customary practice in situations where one team’s pitchers are having difficulty throwing strikes. Which of the following should happen?

* 19:

A. A larger strike zone should be used for both teams for the rest of the game

B. Games must be conducted using the rules as specified in the Rulebook. Mangers and umpires are not permitted to agree to change or modify rules. The strike zone must remain the same as specified in the rulebook for the entire game.

C. A larger strike zone should be used, but only when the away team is pitching.

20. With a runner on first base the batter gets a base hit to center field. The runner from first attempts to advance to third base. The center fielder throws the ball to the third baseman who tags the runner. The umpire calls the runner out on the close play. The manager for the offensive team disagrees with the call, asks for time and comes onto the field for a discussion with the umpire. He brings with him a smartphone on which he claims a video recording made by a parent shows that the runner was safe. Which of the following apply to this situation?

* 20:

A. Calling the runner out is a judgement call which must not be questioned. The out call stands and the manager should be warned not to argue judgement calls and further argument will be grounds for ejection.

B. The umpire should watch the video and change the call if in his judgement it provides definitive proof that the runner was safe.

C. The umpire should not view or consider the video. The use of audio/visual devices to bring into question or ask for reconsideration of an umpire’s call is not permitted.

D. Both A and C

21. It is the bottom of the 5th inning in a tied game. There are runners on first and second and a left handed hitter is coming up to bat. The manager for the team in the field requests a time out to make some changes to the fielding assignments. He wants the shortstop and 2nd basemen to swap positions and he wants to substitute a player on the bench for the current right fielder. Which of these substitutions are permitted?

* 21:

A. The shortstop and 2nd basemen swapping positions.

B. Substitution of the right fielder

C. Both A and B

D. Neither A nor B

22. A “time out” will occur only under which circumstance?

* 22:

A. As soon as a manager, coach or player yells “Time Out”.

B. Immediately when a player appears to be injured.

C. A manager, coach, or player requests a time out, and the umpire decides it is appropriate and calls “Time Out”.

23. In the situation where there are two outs and the catcher for the next inning is a base runner the following can occur:

* 23:

A. No one may become a substitute runner for the catcher.

B. To help move the game along the manager has the discretion to replace the catcher with the player who made the second out.

C. The catcher must be replaced with a pinch runner of the manager’s choice.

24. Prior to the start of a game the teams recite the FBL League Pledge. Which of the following is true?

* 24:

A. Must be recited aloud by both teams standing on the field along the first and third base lines..

B. Applies to everyone involved in the game including players, coaches, managers

C. Both A and B

25. In a situation where an umpire makes a judgement call the manager:

* 25:

A. May never question such a call.

B. May request a time out for a rules discussion

C. May consult with the opposing manager and if they agree the call will be changed.

26. Batters both at the plate, on deck and all base runners must wear a helmet until they are safely back in the dugout. Players who do not follow the helmet rules will…

* 26:

A. Receive unlimited team warnings with no consequences

B. Receive 1 initial warning for the entire team and an out for each additional infraction for that team.

C. Get thrown out of the game for not following the safety rules.

27. After the game, it is the managers responsibility to

* 27:

A. Put away bases, clean-up trash from field, sign the umpire scorebook and report scores online.

B. Make sure that all players and umpires have a ride home before leaving the field.

C. Both A. and B.

28. In the pre-game meeting the umpires reminded the managers that questioning of judgement calls is not permitted. However, throughout the game the home team’s manager has repeatedly made loud comments disagreeing with balls/strikes and other judgement calls. In the bottom of the 5th inning the plate umpire has issued a warning about this to the home manager. It is now the top of the 6th inning with two out and the bases loaded in a tie game. With a count of three balls and one strike the plate umpire calls the next pitch a ball, which means the away team takes the lead on a walk. The home team manager loudly exclaims, “You are blind, that was a strike!” What should happen?

* 28:

A. The plate umpire should change the call to a strike.

B. The call stands as made, the batter walks and the go ahead run scores. Having been previously warned about questioning judgement calls the home manager should be ejected from the game and leave the field immediately before the game can continue.

C. The play should be declared a “no pitch” and taken over.

29. Franklin Baseball and Softball League is strongly suggesting that all players in Continental and above…

* 29:

A. Wear a hard shell cup-type athletic supporter (boys only)

B. Wear a padded chest protector under their uniforms covering their heart.

C. Both A. and B.

30. There is a person in the stands openly questioning a judgement call made by the umpire. The game is ready to continue but the parent continues to make a scene. Whose responsibility is it to address said parents behavior?

* 30:

A. The manager of the team for said parent.

B. The umpire

C. Other parents

31. The responsibility to clean the field of rubbish and debris after a game is:

* 31:

A. The umpires

B. The manager and assistant managers

C. The janitorial staff

32. At the pregame meeting the managers should exchange

* 32:

A. Batting lineups

B. Fielding lineups

C. Both A. and B.

33. Who can have a league issued shirt and be in the dugout?

* 33:

A. Just the manager

B. The manager and up to 2 assistants.

C. Any parent who is willing to pay for one.

34. True or False: When fielding a ball a runner must avoid contact with the fielder, but when the fielder is not in the process of fielding the ball the fielder must avoid contact with the runner.

* 34:

True

False

35. The count is one and one. The next pitch bounces in the dirt in front of home plate. The batter swings and misses the pitch, but the bouncing ball hits the batter. What is the appropriate call?

* 35:

A. Hit by Pitch and the batter is awarded first base.

B. Strike

C. Ball

D. This is declared a “dead ball” and the play continues with the same one and one count

PREP DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Prep Division.
and ALL Umpires)

1. In the Prep division, the play is considered over and the runner must stop running the bases, when…

A. Any player holds the ball up over their heads.

B. The umpire raises a hand over his/her head.

C. In the judgement of the umpire an infielder standing in the infield holds the ball up over their head and the umpire calls “time out”

2. In the Prep division, defensive line-ups are designed to be fair and give each member of the team a chance to play all of the positions. Coaches should make sure that:

A. A player may play outfield for the entire game.

B. Each player must rotate to a new position every inning and play a minimum of two innings in the infield.

C. The best player on the team may play shortstop for the entire game.

3. In the Prep division, the outfield is played by…

A. 5 players who must start on the grass just beyond the infield until the ball is hit.

B. 5 players who can stand wherever they want while the batter is hitting.

C. 4 players who cover the entire grassy outfield.

4. In the Prep division, coaches are encouraged to…

A. Score as many runs as they can in a game, encouraging kids to keep running no matter what.

B. Teach kids how to run the bases correctly and not focus solely on the score of the game.

C. Sit on the bench, talk to their friends and let the kids figure out how to play baseball.

5. In the Prep division, the Five Run Rule is in place to…

A. Help players to focus on the score during the entire game.

B. Provide batting practice to the stronger team.

C. Keep the game fair and give kids lots of opportunities to learn the game of baseball

CONTINENTAL DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Continental Division.
and "C-A", "L-A", "L-B" & "S" Umpires)

1. It is the first round of the playoffs. The starting pitcher is having control issues and has walked five batters and there are 2 outs in the first inning. The manager replaces that pitcher with another. The new pitcher is throwing strikes and getting outs. How long is the second pitcher able to throw?

A. The pitcher can only complete the second inning.

B. The pitcher has to be pulled after the second out of the 3rd inning.

C. The pitcher can complete the third inning.

2. There is a runner on first and second base. The runner on second attempts to steal third. The catcher makes an overthrow that goes into left field.

A. The runner on first is able to advance to second only.

B. Both runners are able to advance on the overthrow.

C. The play is dead, the runner stays on third and the runner on first is not allowed to advance.

3. The strike zone is:

A. From the top of the shoulders to the bottom of the knees.

B. Three inches wider than each side of the plate.

C. Both A. and B.

4. A play is completed when:

A. The ball is in the possession of the pitcher within 5 feet of the pitcher’s rubber.

B. The umpire has called time out.

C. Either A. or B.

5. How many players in the outfield?

A. 3

B. 4

C. 5

6. It is the bottom of the 4th inning and the home team has scored 5 runs and now leads 9 to 5. There are runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out. What is the maximum number of runs that may be scored on the next play?

A. One

B. Two

C Three

LITTLE LEAGUE DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Little League Division.
and "L-A", "L-B" & "S" Umpires)

1. In the Little League Division, the maximum amount of pitches in a game is 65. How many days rest must be observed when a pitcher throws between 51 and 65 pitches in a day:

A. Two days of rest

B. Three days of rest

C. One day of rest

2. In the Little League Division, BALKS are judgment calls, and will be called only when:

A. The pitcher is pitching from the stretch and stops his/her motion before delivering the pitch, or he/she attempts to throw to any base other than home

B. The pitcher, while in possession of the ball is in contact with the rubber

C. The pitcher is pitching from a full wind up and stops his/her motion before delivering the pitch, or he/she attempts to throw to any base other than home

3. In the Little League division, following the completion of a play and the pitcher is ready to deliver the next pitch, leadoffs are not allowed until when?

A. Runner can leadoff or leave the base at any time once pitcher is on the rubber

B. Runner cannot advance unless ball is put in play by the batter

C. Runner is not allowed to leave the base until the pitch has been hit by the batter or the ball has crossed the plate.

4. In the Little League Division, once a pitcher has been removed from the game and has reached his maximum allowable pitches, he is allowed to catch how many innings:

A. 2 innings

B. 1 inning

C. 0 innings

5. There is one out and no one on base. There is a two strike count and the batter swings at a ball in the dirt that skips back to the backstop. The batter

A. Can advance to first and is automatically safe.

B. Can attempt to advance to first, is safe if the batter can beat the throw to first base.

C. Is out regardless.

6. The 4th inning of a regular season game has ended with home team leading by a score of 16 to 5. Which of the following is true?

A. The home team has won the game

B. The away team must score at least 2 runs in the top of the 5th inning or the home team wins

C. The game will continue for the full 6 innings.

PONY DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Pony Division.
and "L-A" & "S" Umpires)

1. Which of the following long sleeve undershirt sleeve colors is a pitcher allowed to wear on his pitching arm while on the mound?

A. Black

B. White

C. Grey

2. How does the Dropped Third Strike Rule apply when there is a runner on first base?

A. The batter will be automatically called out and the side retired (if it is the last out of the inning) if a player is already occupying first base

B. If the ball is dropped by the catcher on a swinging third strike, the batter shall always be granted first base; all runners shall advance at their own risk

C. With a runner on first base a batter may only attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike when there are two outs.

3. Which of the following definitions BEST explains obstruction?

A. Reduction in visibility of a play due to a barrier on the umpire’s headgear

B. A fielder not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball impedes a runner from advancing to a base.

C. Arriving late to a game giving the opposing team a short-term advantage at winning the game

D. None of the above

4. In what circumstance(s) would the Infield Fly Rule take effect?

A. Runner on first base only and there are two outs

B. Runner on third base only with less than two outs

C. Runners on first and second base or first, second, and third base and there are less than two outs and in the judgement of the umpire a fly ball can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.

D. Runners on first and third base and there are less than two outs in the half

5. How many consecutive days must a pitcher rest after he has thrown 58 pitches in a single game?

A. One

B. Two

C. Three

D. Four

6. Which of the following is a balk?

A. While pitching from the stretch position the pitcher steps towards home plate but throws the ball to first base

B. While in the stretch position the pitcher steps off the pitching rubber but does not throw the ball.

C. While in the windup position with his foot on the pitching rubber the pitcher goes into the stretch position.

D. All of the above.

E. A and C

NOVICE SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Novice Girls Division.
and ALL Umpires)

1. In the Novice division, the play is considered over and the runner must stop running the bases, when…

A. Any player holds the ball up over their heads.

B. The umpire raises a hand over his/her head.

C. In the judgement of the umpire an infielder standing in the infield holds the ball up over their head.

2. In the Novice division, defensive line-ups are designed to be fair and give each member of the team a chance to play all of the positions. Coaches should make sure that:

A. A player may play outfield for the entire game.

B. Each player must rotate to a new position every inning and play a minimum of two innings in the infield.

C. The best player on the team may play shortstop for the entire game.

3. In the Novice division, the outfield is played by…

A, 5 players who must start on the grass just beyond the infield until the ball is hit.

B. 5 players who can stand wherever they want while the batter is hitting.

C. 4 players who cover the entire grassy outfield.

4. In the Novice division, coaches are encouraged to…

A. Score as many runs as they can in a game, encouraging kids to keep running no matter what.

B. Teach kids how to run the bases correctly and not focus solely on the score of the game.

C. Sit on the bench, talk to their friends and let the kids figure out how to play baseball.

5. In the Novice division, the Five Run Rule is in place to…

A. Help players to focus on the score during the entire game.

B. Provide batting practice to the stronger team.

C. Keep the game fair and give kids lots of opportunities to learn the game of baseball

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS SOFTBALL DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Intermediate Division.
and "C-A", "L-A", "L-B" & "S" Umpires)

1. With a runner on second base and third base unoccupied, the pitcher for the fielding team having thrown one strike and four balls to the batter has been replaced by the batting team’s manager. The manager’s first pitch gets away from the catcher. Which of the following statements is correct?

1.:

A. The runner on second may attempt to steal third.

B. The runner on second is automatically advanced to third.

C. The runner may not attempt to steal while the manager is pitching.

2. A play is concluded and base runners may not advance or be put out when:

2.:

A. The pitcher has control of the ball within eight feet of the pitching rubber. Any base runner less than halfway to the next base must return to the previous base.

B. An infielder has control of the ball and holds it above her head.

C. The first or third base coach calls “time out”.

3. The 4th inning has ended with home team leading by a score of 17 to 6. Which of the following is true?

3.:

A. The home team has won the game

B. The away team must score at least 2 runs in the top of the 5th inning or the home team wins

C. The game will continue for the full 6 innings.

4. In IS a double base one white and the other orange is used at first base. A batter hits a ground ball to the second baseman who fields the ball and throws it to first base. The first baseman catches the ball and touches the orange base rather than the white base before the runner touches the orange base. The correct call is that:

4.:

A. The runner is out.

B. The runner is safe

C. The runner is out only if she rounded first in an attempt to advance to second.

5. Which statement is true?

5.:

A. No bunting is permitted in IS.

B. A batter may bunt at any time.

C. Bunts are allowed in IS except when a batting team’s manager or assistant coach is pitching.

SENIOR GIRLS SOFTBALL DIVISION RULES

(To be completed by all Managers and Coaches in the Senior Division.
and "C-A", "L-A", "L-B" & "S" Umpires)

1. In the Senior Softball Division, the pitchers foot must have contact with the pitching rubber as defined in the High School Softball Rules. Failure to do so, will result in a…

A. “No Pitch” call from the umpire

B. “Balk” call from the umpire

C. Pitcher ejection from the game

2. Once a pitcher has been removed from the game as a pitcher, she…

A. Has to sit out the rest of the game

B. Cannot bat

C. Cannot return to the game as a pitcher

3. In the Senior Softball Division, base runners are not allowed to lead off. Runners may leave the base when…

A. The ball crosses home plate.

B. The ball leaves the pitchers hand.

C. The pitcher steps on the pitching rubber.

4. In the Senior Softball Division, the run rule that is in effect is the

A. Five run rule

B. 15/10 run rule

C. 12/6/3 run rule

5. In the Senior Softball Division, on a dropped third strike, the batter…

A. May not attempt to advance to 1st base.

B. May attempt to advance to 1st base.

Thank you very much for completing this Rules Test, and for being a very important contributor to the Franklin Baseball & Softball League.

You should receive the results within the next week

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2019 Rule Test