1.
A substitute pitcher enters the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with bases loaded and one out. After getting to a 1-1 count on the first batter he faces, the pitcher picks off the runner at third base. May the pitcher be substituted for at this time?
Correct Answer
B. No, the pitcher may not be substituted for at this time.
Explanation
OBR 5.10(g) [former OBR 3.05 (b)] If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a pitcher.
2.
The pitcher comes to his set position with a runner on second base. The runner breaks for third base. The pitcher makes a legal step to third base to make a play, but as he does, the runner stops and tries to retreat to second base. The pitcher throws to second in time to get the runner. The Umpire should rule that…
Correct Answer
B. ...this is a balk. The pitcher must complete a throw to third base which is ruled the same as first base.
Explanation
OBR 6.02(a)(2) [former OBR 8.05] If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when: (2) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw.
3.
In the event that a Replay Review is invoked during a commercial break, the Crew Chief, per the instruction of the Headset Technician, shall…
Correct Answer
B. ...delay the announcement of the results of the Replay Review until after the normal inning break has elapsed. The defensive team will be allotted their normal warm-up activities.
Explanation
Replay Regulations, E. Inning-Break Mechanics, c) If broadcasters adhere to the requirements contained in these Regulations, but Replay Review is invoked during a commercial break, the Field Timing Coordinator will inform the broadcasters via his headset that Replay Review has been invoked, and also will inform the Crew Chief to delay announcing the results of Replay Review until after the normal inning break (2:05 or 2:30) has elapsed. Under these circumstances, if the call on the field is upheld (meaning that the inning is over), normal inning break timings will not be kept; rather, players promptly shall change sides, the defense will engage in normal warm-up activities, and play will resume immediately upon the players and umpires being ready.
4.
In the event of a Replay Review in which the call on the field is overturned, when it is deemed acceptable for the on-field umpires to accept a second Manager’s Challenge prior to resuming play?
Correct Answer
B. Only when the change of the initial call affects the relevance of the subsequent call to the outcome of the play.
Explanation
Replay Regulations II. G: Challenge of a Reviewable Play by Both Managers. II.G.3. If Manager Challenges by both Clubs are not invoked simultaneously, the second Club must invoke its challenge before the Crew Chief makes communication contact with the Replay Official; provided, however, that any Club adversely affected by a Replay Official’s decision to change a call has the right to use a Manager’s Challenge or request that a Crew Chief review another reviewable call in the same play, provided that (a) the Manager of the adversely affected Club makes the Manager’s Challenge or requests the Crew Chief review immediately after the announcement of the Replay Official’s decision, (b) the change of the initial call affects the relevance of the subsequent call to the outcome of the play, and (c) the Club adversely affected by the change in the initial call had no incentive to seek Replay Review of the subsequent call until after the Replay Official reversed the initial call.
5.
With bases loaded, the batter hits a sharp ground ball that deflects off of the shortstop and starts to roll away from him, but the ball is still in his immediate reach. As the shortstop starts to go after the ball, the runner from second collides with the shortstop. This should be ruled…
Correct Answer
B. Interference – the fielder is still in the act of fielding a batted ball.
Explanation
2015 Umpire Manual, Rule Interpretation 44, (4) Ruling: After the ball deflects off the shortstop, if the ball is within the fielder’s immediate reach, the runner must avoid the fielder, and if contact occurs under those circumstances, interference shall be called and the runner declared out. (In this situation the fielder is still considered “in the act of fielding” the ball and has not “missed” as described in the Comment to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h) [formerly the Comment to OBR 2.00 (Obstruction)].) However, if the ball is not within reach of the fielder after it deflects off the fielder (i.e., the fielder must chase after the ball), the fielder must then avoid the runner, and if contact occurs under those circumstances, obstruction shall be called under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2) [former OBR 7.06(b)].
6.
With a runner on first base and no outs, a ground ball is hit up the first-base line. The first baseman picks up the ball and throws to second base for a force out. After the out at second, the batter-runner is obstructed by the pitcher who had moved to cover first, but the first baseman is back at the base and taking the throw from second. It was obvious the batter-runner would be out at first base. The Umpire should…
Correct Answer
A. ...call time and award the batter-runner first base on the obstruction by the pitcher. The out at second base counts.
Explanation
2015 Umpire Manual, Rule Interpretation 43 Case 1: Batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base on a ground ball to an infielder. It appears that the infielder will have an easy play on the ball. Ruling: This is obstruction under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h) (1) [former OBR 7.06(a)]. “Time” is called immediately and batter-runner is awarded first base.
7.
The batter-runner hits a ground ball down the first-base line. After the first baseman catches the ball, he moves toward the batter-runner to tag him. The batter-runner starts to retreat toward home plate and bumps into the catcher. The umpire judged that the catcher’s actions were unintentional. What should the Umpire rule?
Correct Answer
B. No obstruction occurred unless the actions of the fielder are deemed intentional. The batter-runner is out when tagged or retreats to home plate.
Explanation
2015 Umpire Manual, Rule Interpretation 44, (1) Runner on first base: batter-runner gets in rundown between home and first. Can obstruction be called going back to home? Ruling: No, unless the obstruction is intentional.
8.
The batter hits a fly ball between home and first base. The pitcher and first baseman both move to catch the ball. The batter-runner runs into the pitcher, but the plate umpire judges the first baseman is fielding the ball. The first baseman makes the catch. What should the Umpire rule?
Correct Answer
B. Call obstruction, and if the fielder makes the catch, the out stands as the obstruction had no bearing on a potential play at first base as the batter-runner was retired by the catch. If the ball falls fair, award the batter runner at least first base.
Explanation
2015 Umpire Manual, Rule Interpretation 44, (2) Batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base with no play being made on him (for example, on a ball hit to the outfield). Ruling: Call the obstruction by pointing at the infraction and calling, “That’s obstruction”; however, leave the ball in play until the play is over. Then impose such penalties, if any, that will nullify the act of obstruction. If fly ball is caught in this situation, the batter-runner is out. If the batted ball was a fair ball not caught, the batter-runner will always be “protected” at least to first base.
9.
Former Official Baseball Rule 2.00 has been recodified in the 2015 Official Baseball Rules book as…
Correct Answer
B. Definition of Terms
Explanation
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10.
Prior to the recodification of the Official Baseball Rules Book in 2015, interference and obstruction rules were most likely to be found in rules 7.06, 7.09, and 4.03. Where are they most likely to be found in the 2015 version?
Correct Answer
A. 5.02 and 6.01
Explanation
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