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Question 1. Which of the following dimensions correctly describes the distance between the pitcher’s rubber and home plate in NFHS baseball? A) 45 feet B) 46 feet C) 50 feet D) 60 feet 6 inches Answer: B Explanation: NFHS rules set the distance from the pitcher’s rubber to home plate at 46 feet. Question 2. Under the 2026 equipment update, which material is prohibited from being used on bat grips? A) Rubber B) Pine tar exceeding 1 gram per square inch C) Synthetic leather D) Tape Answer: B Explanation: The 2026 rule limits pine tar (or any resin) to 1 gram per square inch of the bat’s surface; exceeding this is illegal. Question 3. The NFHS Authenticating Mark on a baseball must be located where? A) On the seam opposite the pitcher’s hand B) On the top of the ball near the stitching C) On the leather covering the ball, visible from the pitcher’s view D) On the bottom of the ball, facing the ground Answer: C
Explanation: The Authenticating Mark must be on the leather and visible to the umpire and players; it is placed where it can be seen without affecting play. Question 4. What is the maximum legal glove size for a high school infielder? A) 12 inches B) 11 inches C) 13 inches D) No size limit Answer: B Explanation: NFHS limits infield gloves to a maximum of 11 inches; larger gloves are considered illegal and result in a penalty. Question 5. Which of the following uniform items is NOT permitted during a game? A) Team logo on the jersey B) Wristwatch for timing C) Medical alert bracelet D) Headband without metal Answer: B Explanation: Wristwatches are prohibited because they can distract players; medical alert bracelets are allowed as a safety exception. Question 6. A batting helmet must meet which organization’s safety standards? A) ASTM B) NOCSAE C) OSHA
C) The batter starts his swing D) The umpire signals “Play” Answer: B Explanation: The time of the pitch is the instant the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand; all subsequent actions are timed from this point. Question 10. Which of the following best describes a legal catch? A) The ball is caught after it bounces once B) The ball is caught with the glove and then immediately dropped C) The ball is caught and the fielder voluntarily releases it after securing it D) The ball is caught while the fielder is still in the act of fielding Answer: C Explanation: A legal catch requires the fielder to secure the ball and then voluntarily release it; dropping it immediately is not a legal catch. Question 11. Offensive interference occurs when: A) A runner blocks a fielder’s throw to a base B) A batter steps out of the batter’s box and hinders a fielder C) A spectator reaches onto the field of play D) A coach shouts instructions from the dugout Answer: B Explanation: Offensive interference is when the batter or runner interferes with a defensive player, such as stepping out of the box and hindering a play. Question 12. An infield fly rule is invoked when which of the following conditions are met? A) Less than two outs, runners on first and second, and a fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort
B) Two outs, runner on third, and a line drive to the outfield C) No runners on base and a pop-up in the outfield D) One out, runner on second, and a ground ball to the pitcher Answer: A Explanation: The infield fly rule applies with fewer than two outs, runners on first and second (or bases loaded), and a fair fly ball that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. Question 13. A force play is removed when: A) The forced runner reaches the next base safely B) The ball is declared dead C) The defensive team commits an error D) The batter is called out on strikes Answer: A Explanation: Once the forced runner safely reaches the next base, the force is removed; subsequent plays are no longer forced. Question 14. Which of the following is a legal substitution? A) Replacing a pitcher with a position player without notifying the umpire B) Substituting a player after the third out of an inning C) Re-entering a player who has already been substituted out in the same game D) Substituting a player and allowing the original player to return later in the game Answer: B Explanation: Substitutions may be made after the third out; re-entry is not permitted in NFHS baseball, making options C and D illegal. Question 15. The designated hitter (DH) in NFHS baseball is allowed to:
Question 18. The 2026 defensive meeting rule allows how many player-to-player meetings per inning? A) None B) One C) Two D) Unlimited as long as a coach is present Answer: B Explanation: Only one player-to-player defensive meeting (involving two or more players) is allowed per inning; further meetings are prohibited. Question 19. Bench jockeying is considered: A) A legal form of trash talk B) Unsportsmanlike conduct that can result in a warning or ejection C) A violation only if it involves physical contact D) Permitted if it occurs behind the dugout fence Answer: B Explanation: Bench jockeying is unsportsmanlike conduct; umpires may issue a warning and later eject the offending coach or player. Question 20. A game is called due to darkness when: A) The stadium lights fail and the umpires deem visibility unsafe B) The home team refuses to continue after the 7th inning C) The score is tied after 9 innings D) The visiting team is ahead after 5 innings Answer: A Explanation: If the field is not illuminated adequately and the umpires deem it unsafe, the game is called due to darkness.
Question 21. The “Mercy Rule” in NFHS baseball ends a game when a team leads by at least:** A) 8 runs after 5 innings B) 10 runs after 4 innings C) 12 runs after 6 innings D) 15 runs after 3 innings Answer: B Explanation: The Mercy Rule ends the game when a team leads by 10 or more runs after 4 innings (or after 5 innings if the home team is leading). Question 22. A forfeited game results when: A) A team fails to appear for the first inning B) A player is ejected and the coach refuses to remove him from the field C) The ball is lost and cannot be replaced D) The umpires call a rain delay longer than 30 minutes Answer: B Explanation: Refusal to remove an ejected player (or other refusal to comply with umpire decisions) leads to a forfeiture. Question 23. A protest in NFHS baseball can be filed for: A) Judgment calls made by the umpire B) Misinterpretation of a rule by the umpire C) Disagreement with a player’s conduct D) A disputed foul ball call Answer: B Explanation: Protests are allowed only for rule interpretation errors, not for judgment calls.
A) On the rubber with the toe behind it B) On the rubber with the heel behind it C) Off the rubber, behind the mound D) Anywhere on the mound as long as the balance is maintained Answer: B Explanation: In the windup, the pitcher’s pivot foot (the pivot foot is the rear foot) must have the heel on the rubber. Question 28. Which of the following constitutes a balk? A) The pitcher steps off the rubber, then immediately steps back on without delivering a pitch B) The pitcher makes a motion toward home plate without delivering the ball and the ball is not live C) The pitcher lifts his front leg while in the set position before the ball is released D) The pitcher drops the ball after the catcher signals a pitch-out Answer: C Explanation: In the set position, the pitcher must come to a complete stop with the front foot planted; lifting the leg before releasing the ball is a balk. Question 29. A starter pitcher is allowed to throw how many warm-up pitches before the game begins? A) Unlimited, as long as the pitcher is not fatigued B) 10 pitches per inning of the game C) A maximum of 15 pitches per inning of the game D) No more than 10 pitches per inning of the game Answer: D Explanation: NFHS limits starter pitchers to a maximum of 10 warm-up pitches per inning of the scheduled game.
Question 30. The automatic intentional base on balls requires the pitcher to:** A) Throw four straight pitches outside the strike zone without a batter’s swing B) Throw five straight pitches, all balls, without a batter’s swing C) Walk the batter to first base after a verbal signal from the umpire D) Deliver a single pitch and allow the batter to take the base Answer: B Explanation: An automatic intentional walk is awarded after five consecutive balls are thrown, with no swing by the batter. Question 31. The batting order must be maintained throughout the game. If a player bats out of order, the correct appeal must be made at:** A) The moment the error is noticed, regardless of the outcome of the play B) Only after the next batter completes his at-bat C) Before the next pitch is thrown to the following batter D) Only if the out of order batter reaches base safely Answer: C Explanation: An appeal for batting out of order must be made before the next pitch is delivered to the subsequent batter; otherwise the order stands. Question 32. A batter who steps out of the batter’s box and hits the ball is penalized for:** A) Interference B) Illegal pitch C) Batting out of the box D) Unsportsmanlike conduct Answer: C
Explanation: A foul tip that is caught by the catcher is a live ball and is treated as a strike; if not caught, it is a foul ball. Question 36. A runner occupying first base must touch the base in which order when advancing to second? A) Touch first base again before second B) Directly touch second base without touching first again C) Touch the colored portion of Double First Base then second D) Any portion of Double First Base, then second base Answer: B Explanation: Once a runner is on first, he must touch second base directly; the Double First Base only applies to the initial play at first. Question 37. A wild pitch that allows a runner to advance two bases results in a:** A) One-base award B) Two-base award C) Three-base award D) No award; the runner must be tagged out Answer: B Explanation: A wild pitch can award the runner two bases if the ball is not fielded and the runner advances safely. Question 38. If a runner leaves a base early on a force play and is tagged out before returning, the result is:** A) The runner is out, but the force is still in effect B) The runner is out and the force is removed C) The runner is safe because he returned to the base D) The play is dead and must be replayed
Answer: B Explanation: Leaving a base early on a force play and being tagged out nullifies the force; the runner is out and the force is removed. Question 39. “Leapfrogging” a preceding runner is penalized as:** A) A dead ball B) An automatic out for the runner who leapfrogs C) A time-out for the defensive team D) No penalty; the runner may continue Answer: B Explanation: Leapfrogging (passing a preceding runner) results in an automatic out for the runner who passes the other runner. Question 40. The Force-Play-Slide Rule (FPSR) requires a runner sliding into a forced base to:** A) Remain upright and avoid contact with the fielder B) Initiate contact with the fielder to break up the play C) Slide directly into the base and make a bona-fide attempt to reach the base D) Jump over the base to avoid a tag Answer: C Explanation: The FPSR mandates a legal slide—directly toward the base with a bona-fide attempt to reach the base—when a runner is forced. Question 41. A malicious collision at home plate that endangers the catcher is penalized by:** A) A warning only B) An automatic ejection of the runner C) A dead ball and runner placed at third base
C) Have the batter awarded first base D) Be ejected from the game Answer: B Explanation: A balk results in a dead ball and all runners are awarded the next base. Question 45. The umpire’s jurisdiction begins when he/she:** A) Enters the field of play for the pre-game meeting B) Arrives at the stadium entrance C) Steps onto the field of play D) Calls the first pitch Answer: C Explanation: An umpire’s jurisdiction begins when he or she steps onto the field of play. Question 46. In a 3-man umpire crew, the home-plate umpire is primarily responsible for:** A) Calls on fair/foul balls in the outfield B) Determining safe/out calls at all bases C) Calling balls, strikes, and fair/foul on batted balls near home plate D) Managing the lineup and substitutions Answer: C Explanation: The home-plate umpire calls balls and strikes and makes fair/foul calls on batted balls near home plate. Question 47. If an umpire mistakenly calls a ball a strike, the correct procedure is to:** A) Immediately reverse the call and continue play
B) Allow the call to stand because umpire errors cannot be corrected C) Confer with the other umpires and correct the call if all agree D) Issue a warning to the batter and proceed Answer: C Explanation: Umpires may confer and correct an obvious error; the call can be changed if all umpires agree. Question 48. Which of the following is a prohibited item for a catcher’s gear?** A) A throat guard made of NOCSAE-approved material B) A chest protector with metal plates C) A helmet with a face mask that is not NOCSAE certified D) A shin guard that extends above the knee Answer: C Explanation: Catcher helmets and face masks must meet NOCSAE standards; non-certified equipment is illegal. Question 49. The colored portion of Double First Base is used on an extra-base hit when:** A) The runner must touch it before proceeding to second B) The runner may touch either the colored or white portion since no play is made at first C) The runner is forced to advance due to a ground ball D) The ball is a foul ball that lands near first base Answer: B Explanation: On extra-base hits where no play is made at first, the runner may touch either portion of Double First Base. Question 50. A player who is ejected must be:**
Question 53. The “dead-ball” rule for a ball that hits the catcher’s mask and then rolls away is:** A) Immediate dead ball, runners return to original bases B) Delayed dead ball, runners may advance at their own risk C) Immediate dead ball, runners may advance at their own risk D) Live ball, runners must stay on base Answer: A Explanation: When a ball hits equipment and becomes dead immediately, runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch. Question 54. A pitcher who exceeds the allowed number of warm-up pitches for a reliever may be penalized by:** A) A warning only B) An automatic ball to the batter C) A technical foul and loss of a timeout D) No penalty; only starters are limited Answer: B Explanation: Exceeding the warm-up pitch limit for a reliever results in an automatic ball being awarded to the batter. Question 55. The “time-out” rule for a defensive team allows a maximum of:** A) One time-out per inning B) Two time-outs per half-inning C) Three time-outs per game D) Unlimited time-outs as long as they are under 30 seconds each Answer: B
Explanation: A defensive team may request up to two time-outs per half-inning. Question 56. When a batter is awarded first base due to an illegal pitch, the ball is considered:** A) Live, and runners may advance at their own risk B) Dead, and runners return to their original bases C) Live, but runners must stay on base until the next pitch D) Dead, and the batter is placed on first base without runners moving Answer: D Explanation: An illegal pitch (e.g., a balk) results in a dead ball; the batter is awarded first base and runners advance one base. Question 57. A runner who slides head-first into a base and misses the base is:** A) Safe if no tag is applied B) Out for missing the base C) Allowed to continue to the next base D) Given a warning for unsafe sliding Answer: B Explanation: Missing a base while sliding results in an out; the runner must touch the base in order to be safe. Question 58. The “force-out” at second base on a ground ball with runners on first and second occurs because:** A) The runner from first is forced to advance to second B) The runner from second is forced to advance to third C) Both runners are forced, but the out is recorded on the runner who reached second first
