2009 ASA Umpire Exam

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by SRW

An email from K.Ryan sent today:


There has been a mistake found on the 2009 exam. W.S. [name changed to initials by SRW] caught it and sent it to me. We will post something on the web so all will know but it will be in February’s plays and clarifications. The question is number 31. The answer listed as the correct answer is letter D which is incorrect. None of the answers are totally correct. The question involves an Illegal player and the answer listed as the correct answer is for an unreported substitute. The problem is they used to have the same penalty. Since the penalty for the unreported substitute has changed because of the rule change they are no longer disqualified and when found entered into the game. An Illegal Player is still disqualified and that is what the answer should have said. The question can be discarded when the test is taken, or however you want to handle it. I apologies for the incorrect answer and will look closer next time to make sure the test is totally correct. I appreciate your understanding.

So, does that make the correct answer C?

[Tru_in_Blu]

I've sometimes been told that I might be reading too much into a question when I take these tests. Question 31 is a good example of that. I am not quite sure if I should try and answer the question as written, or what I think the author was looking for in the first place.

In a similar situation, I have an issue with Question 40:

40) The official bat shall be:
a) Of one piece construction.
b) Multi-piece permanently assembled construction.
c) Two-piece interchangeable construction.
d) All of the above.

This is included in the 2009 Playing Rule Changes, and while the question almost mirrors the Rule: 3 Section 1 K wording, the combination of answers matching the statement portion of the test question are mutually exclusive.

I'd suggest that the wording should have been something like:

The official bat MAY be: [with same answers],

or, the last answer amended to be:

d) ANY of the above.

If this was an SAT or similar test, answer "d" cannot be correct since a bat can only be one piece construction, or two-piece construction, or multi-piece construction. I cannot satisfy all three conditions. Two-piece could be considered multi-piece or vice-versa, but neither of those could be one piece; and one piece cannot obviously be two-piece or multi-piece.

But I think, and hope, that the answer they're looking for is "d". That's what I pick.

Ted

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I've sometimes been told that I might be reading too much into a question when I take these tests. Question 31 is a good example of that. I am not quite sure if I should try and answer the question as written, or what I think the author was looking for in the first place.

In a similar situation, I have an issue with Question 40:

40) The official bat shall be:
a) Of one piece construction.
b) Multi-piece permanently assembled construction.
c) Two-piece interchangeable construction.
d) All of the above.

This is included in the 2009 Playing Rule Changes, and while the question almost mirrors the Rule: 3 Section 1 K wording, the combination of answers matching the statement portion of the test question are mutually exclusive.

I'd suggest that the wording should have been something like:

The official bat MAY be: [with same answers],

or, the last answer amended to be:

d) ANY of the above.

If this was an SAT or similar test, answer "d" cannot be correct since a bat can only be one piece construction, or two-piece construction, or multi-piece construction. I cannot satisfy all three conditions. Two-piece could be considered multi-piece or vice-versa, but neither of those could be one piece; and one piece cannot obviously be two-piece or multi-piece.

But I think, and hope, that the answer they're looking for is "d". That's what I pick.

Ted

Yes, I believe you are reading too much into this question. This is not an SAT or any other type of test other than a simple softball rules test.

[Texasbock]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yes, I believe you are reading too much into this question. This is not an SAT or any other type of test other than a simple softball rules test.

With all due respect Mike, the ASA test makers seem to pride themselves on issuing umpire exams with ambiguous questions. It seems that less than half of the questions are that cut and dried.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yes, I believe you are reading too much into this question. This is not an SAT or any other type of test other than a simple softball rules test.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

With all due respect Mike, the ASA test makers seem to pride themselves on issuing umpire exams with ambiguous questions. It seems that less than half of the questions are that cut and dried.

That's how I feel about NFHS tests.

Personally, if a question is presented in that manner, I don't believe it is intentional.

Originally Posted by SRW

An email from K.Ryan sent today:


There has been a mistake found on the 2009 exam. W.S. [name changed to initials by SRW] caught it and sent it to me. We will post something on the web so all will know but it will be in February’s plays and clarifications. The question is number 31. The answer listed as the correct answer is letter D which is incorrect. None of the answers are totally correct. The question involves an Illegal player and the answer listed as the correct answer is for an unreported substitute. The problem is they used to have the same penalty. Since the penalty for the unreported substitute has changed because of the rule change they are no longer disqualified and when found entered into the game. An Illegal Player is still disqualified and that is what the answer should have said. The question can be discarded when the test is taken, or however you want to handle it. I apologies for the incorrect answer and will look closer next time to make sure the test is totally correct. I appreciate your understanding.

As a college instructor, I had to laugh at the part I highlighted in red. Now I'm starting to have sinister thoughts as I'm writing an exam for the students...hmmm....

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

With all due respect Mike, the ASA test makers seem to pride themselves on issuing umpire exams with ambiguous questions. It seems that less than half of the questions are that cut and dried.

sorry, I just couldn't lurk any more.

Yes, less than half are cut and dried. Kinda like a softball game. It isn't all black and white. There are some shades of gray -- sometimes many shades of gray. Could be 256 shades of gray.

BTW, I always like sentences which begin "With all due respect..." It's like seeing someone drive the wrong way on a one-way street: the crash is coming, and you hope no one gets seriously injured.

OK. Back under my rock. Bye.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

Could be 256 shades of gray.

Not a problem as long as they are all from ASA Merchandise.

[Texasbock]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

sorry, I just couldn't lurk any more.

Yes, less than half are cut and dried. Kinda like a softball game. It isn't all black and white. There are some shades of gray -- sometimes many shades of gray. Could be 256 shades of gray.

BTW, I always like sentences which begin "With all due respect..." It's like seeing someone drive the wrong way on a one-way street: the crash is coming, and you hope no one gets seriously injured.

OK. Back under my rock. Bye.

With all due respect bkbjones, most softball games are in fact cut and dried. Every now and then, something gray comes up, you make a call and hope like hell it was the right one and look it up afterward to be sure. That I believe is where you learn most of the "gray" rules; not in a 30-45 minute multiple choice exam where one will more than likely forget what he or she was exposed to in a short amount of time.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

Every now and then, something gray comes up, you make a call and hope like hell it was the right one and look it up afterward to be sure. That I believe is where you learn most of the "gray" rules; not in a 30-45 minute multiple choice exam where one will more than likely forget what he or she was exposed to in a short amount of time.

I disagree to an extent. The more you study the rule book, the more you look at questions and quizzes, and the more you learn the craft, the better prepared you are. Then the rules become less "gray".

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Not a problem as long as they are all from ASA Merchandise.

Unfortunately, they're out of stock. Should've ordered back in May like me.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by SRW

I disagree to an extent. The more you study the rule book, the more you look at questions and quizzes, and the more you learn the craft, the better prepared you are. Then the rules become less "gray".

That doesn't explain all the HTBT plays we all are guilty of commenting upon...

[MPowers1634]

The main question still remains: Who has the correct answers and is willing to post them or a link to them?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by MPowers1634

The main question still remains: Who has the correct answers and is willing to post them or a link to them?

I don't think you'll find anyone willing to post them here, bub.