NFHS Baseball Test Part 1

[UmpJM]

I'm getting the impression that different states had different "formats" for this years's test.

In Illinois, there was a "pool" of 54 (multiple choice, single answer) questions that you could download as a PDF prior to officially taking the test.

Then, when you took the test online, you were presented with a random subset of 25 of those questions for your "official" test.

On the Illinois test, the 2 questions Bob J. referenced were #22 and #52.

22. After 2 innings, the visitors are leading 20-1.
The home team coach asks the umpire if the
game can be terminated so that the second
game of the double header can be started.

* A. This is permissible if the visiting coach agrees
* B. This is permissible even if the visiting coach does not
agree
* C. The game cannot be terminated until the home team
has completed its fifth time at bat
* D. If the request comes from the Athletic Director of the
home school, it can be granted

and

52. When the plate umpire asks for help from his
partner when there is a question as to whether
a batter’s checked swing was an attempt, the
field umpire should:

* A. Base his decision as to whether the swing carried the
barrel of the bat past the body of the batter
* B. Make an honest call as soon as the catcher points to
him requesting an appeal
* C. Base his decision as to whether the batter actually
struck at the ball
* D. Both A and C are correct

JM

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

I'm getting the impression that different states had different "formats" for this years's test.

That's correct. IL is not a FED state anymore (at least for testing purposes), so we don't use the FED test. I got confused over which test the questions were on (I saw them both).

I agree with Rich on the FED test.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Welpe]

Let me guess, for 52 the "correct" answer was D?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Let me guess, for 52 the "correct" answer was D?

Welpe,

Give that man a cigar!

That was, in fact, the "test correct" answer.

On the field, of course, one would go with "C".

JM

[Welpe]

Figures. Where did they get that from? So perpetuates the myth.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Figures. Where did they get that from? So perpetuates the myth.

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

For Fed, D is definitely the right answer.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

For Fed, C is definitely the right answer.

Exactly my point, C is the correct answer so where did they get D may be used as "an aid" is not the same thing as "Base his decision as to whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter."

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

The important parts of 10-1-4a are in bold.

No change in rule or practice.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Welpe,

Give that man a cigar!

That was, in fact, the "test correct" answer.

On the field, of course, one would go with "C".

JM

John,
I had this question brought up at one of my clinics and again by ODJ. The correct answer is D. It is clearly stated as such in the 2011 Preseason Guide sent along with the Rule and Case books.

On page 5 of that supplement:

The umpire's decision on a checked swing should be based entirely on his judgement as to whether or not the batter struck at the pitch.

Here are two helpful guidelines that may be helpful in determining if the batter swung: the barrel of the bat breaks the plane of the batter's front hip or the barrel of the bat breaks the plane of the front edge of the plate provided the batter is positioned in the center of the batter's box.

On the field, you would use both criteria. For less experienced umpires this will be easier to entertain. Some of us grew up with the 'front edge/broke his wrists' rules of thumb.

The NFHS wants us to read everything and they took that question straight from there. Illinois uses questions from the Michigan test currently but next year we will utilize a unique one.

The NCAA does the same thing. A number of questions came directly from the NCAA 2011 Baseball supplement.

I hope this helps clarify things.

Mike

[Welpe]

Mike, the funny thing is that the first sentence you quote from the supplement seems to match answer C perfectly.

Incidently, I had heard the "bat crosses over the plate" as criteria by the casual fan or coach but once I started umpiring, I was trained to NOT use those things as criteria but to simply judge, did the batter offer or did he not?

Admittedly, I did not realize the Fed had weakly codified the myth.