December 2021 Test | California Collegiate Softball Umpires Association

After a routine defensive play by the shortstop, the third and second basemen go over to slap gloves with her.10

A. The purpose and intent of the no huddle defense rule is not to delay the game after an out. Actions that are quick, do not delay the start of the next batter at bat and do not constitute “meeting on the mound or elsewhere on the field” are allowed.
B. This is a violation of the no huddle defense rule.

After a strikeout is recorded on a batter who fouled off numerous good pitches, the infielders go over to slap gloves and kick feet with the pitcher, delaying the game. During this time, the next batter is ready to enter the batter’s box to start her at bat.10

A. This is a violation of the no huddle defense rule. The umpire shall warn the violator and her coach for the first offense in the game. For any subsequent offense by any member of the warned team in the same game, a ball shall be awarded to the batter.
B. This is a violation of the no huddle defense rule. The umpire shall charge the team with a player-to-player conference.

How is “clearly beaten by the throw” interpreted?10

A. This phrase is interpreted to mean that at the time the fielder catches the ball, it could not be reasonably expected for the runner to begin her slide, or the runner is out by such a significant margin that the fielder must wait for the runner to arrive to apply the tag or until she gives herself up. It should be a relatively infrequent call.
B. The phrase is interpreted to mean that at the time the fielder catches the ball, a runner is “clearly out".

A fielder makes a shoestring catch and immediately lifts her glove in the air over her head to show the umpire that she has possession of the ball. As she does so, the ball trickles out the palm of her glove and lands on the ground.10

A. Since the release was not voluntary, is it not considered a catch.
B. Because the ball landed on the ground as a result of a secondary move and not as part of the action of the catch, she has completed the catch. Secondary moves include throwing the ball, transferring the ball from glove to throwing hand and demonstrating possession of the ball to the umpire.

The first batter of the game hits a fly ball to deep right field near the foul line. As she is rounding first base, she is obstructed by the first baseman, #34. The batted ball is not caught and lands foul.10

A. A rounding obstruction warning issued to #34 and her coach is notified. A fielder shall not obstruct a runner rounding a base at any time. Although the ball ended up being an uncaught foul ball, there is still a warning given.
B. No rounding obstruction warning is issued to #34. The ball ended up being an uncaught foul ball, no warning need be given.

On an attempted pickoff, if a defensive player obstructs the base runner returning to the base.10

A. If the defensive player is making a play on the returning base runner and obstructs her, the defensive player will still be charged with obstruction, but will not be given a warning.
B. If the defensive player is making a play on the returning base runner and obstructs her, the umpire may choose whether or not to charge the defensive player with obstruction and issue a warning.

In the first inning, the first baseman #10 is issued a warning for returning obstruction and her head coach is notified. Later in the game, #10 impedes the progress of the runner on first base legally leading off first base on the release of a 1-0 count pitch. The pitch is called a ball, and the catcher attempts a pick-off on the runner at first base where #10 tags the runner out.10

A. The ball is dead at the time of the apparent putout. The runner is awarded first base. The count is 2-0.
B. The ball is dead at the time of the apparent putout. The runner is awarded second base. The count is 2-0.

With runners on first base and second base, no outs, the batter grounds to the first baseman who immediately steps on first base for the force out then throws to the third baseman. The runner from second base gets caught in a rundown between second base and third base as the runner from first base advances to second base and is standing on second base. The second baseman is blocking second base without possession of the ball and the umpire rules obstruction as the runner from second base attempts to dive back into second base where she is tagged before reaching it.10

A. The ball becomes dead when the runner from second base is tagged. The obstructed runner is awarded third base and the runner from first base is awarded second base.
B. The ball becomes dead when the runner from second base is tagged. The obstructed runner is awarded second base and the runner from first base is returned to first base.

The batter hits a pop up to the second baseman and is obstructed running to first base by the catcher. The batted ball is caught by the second baseman for an out.10

A. The batter is out on the caught fly ball. This is an exception to the general principle that an obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where she was obstructed.
B. The umpire negates the out and awards the batter runner first base on the obstruction by the catcher. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where she was obstructed.

With runners at first base and third base, 1-1 count, on the pitch the runner from first base attempts to steal and the pitch is called a ball. The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s attempt to throw the runner from first base out at second base. The runner from first base stops running and the shortstop, who caught the thrown ball, begins to chase the runner from first base back towards first base. The runner at third base breaks for home.10

A. The ball remains live until the conclusion of the play. The umpire allows the result of the play to stand.
B. The ball is dead immediately when the runner from first base is not out on the initial throw by the catcher. The runner from first base is returned to first base and the runner from third base is returned to third base. The count will be 2-1.