ASA test question

[RKBUmp]

Went to local ASA kick off clinic yesterday and got the test. There is one question that appears to have 2 correct answers.

Question 34.
The runner is out for interference and the ball is dead immediately in all of the following, EXCEPT:

A: When a fielder is attempting to field a batted fair ball.
B: When a fielder is attempting to throw the ball.
C: When a runner is hit with a thrown ball.
D: When a runner physically assists another runner.


Are not both C and D correct answers to this question? Merely being hit by a thrown ball is not interference, it must be an intentional act by the runner. And runners are legally able to assist another runner.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Went to local ASA kick off clinic yesterday and got the test. There is one question that appears to have 2 correct answers.

Question 34.
The runner is out for interference and the ball is dead immediately in all of the following, EXCEPT:

A: When a fielder is attempting to field a batted fair ball.
B: When a fielder is attempting to throw the ball.
C: When a runner is hit with a thrown ball.
D: When a runner physically assists another runner.


Are not both C and D correct answers to this question? Merely being hit by a thrown ball is not interference, it must be an intentional act by the runner. And runners are legally able to assist another runner.

D is not interference.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

D is not interference.

Not only is it not INT, it's also not illegal, either. A runner may certainly physically assist another runner. In fact, they're the only person(s) allowed to physically assist another runner while the ball is still live.

[tcannizzo]

Ahh, the art of test taking.

So another way of testing the umpire's knowledge of rules could be:

Interference is ruled when a runner physically assists another runner.
True or False

[RKBUmp]

C is not interference either unless the runner intentionally interferes with the thrown ball or is out of the running lane, and that information is not given as part of the possible answer.

As usual, the FED test has a couple of questions that have problems.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

C is not interference either unless the runner intentionally interferes with the thrown ball or is out of the running lane, and that information is not given as part of the possible answer.

Well, neither is B, unless intentional.
And you could argue A is not because ball may have already passed another infielder.

But your point about the way the question is written is well-taken.

[ChampaignBlue]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Went to local ASA kick off clinic yesterday and got the test. There is one question that appears to have 2 correct answers.

Question 34.
The runner is out for interference and the ball is dead immediately in all of the following, EXCEPT:

A: When a fielder is attempting to field a batted fair ball.
B: When a fielder is attempting to throw the ball.
C: When a runner is hit with a thrown ball.
D: When a runner physically assists another runner.


Are not both C and D correct answers to this question? Merely being hit by a thrown ball is not interference, it must be an intentional act by the runner. And runners are legally able to assist another runner.

In a nutshell. In A,B,and C if you rule interference then the runner is out and the ball is dead immediately because each case can be ruled interference. In D you better not be ruling interference because it can't be.

[CecilOne]

The main thing about tests is that passing is not 100.

[EsqUmp]

The test question is poorly written. With that said, the ONLY interference that doesn't result in an immediate dead ball is when the plate umpire interferes with the catcher's attempt to retire a runner after a pitched ball. For those of you who keep referring to the need for interference to be "intentional" you may want to consult the rule book. It has been at least four years since ASA removed the word "intentional" from almost all forms of inference.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The test question is poorly written. With that said, the ONLY interference that doesn't result in an immediate dead ball is when the plate umpire interferes with the catcher's attempt to retire a runner after a pitched ball. For those of you who keep referring to the need for interference to be "intentional" you may want to consult the rule book. It has been at least four years since ASA removed the word "intentional" from almost all forms of inference.

Yes, they removed the word, but not the meaning. The NUS was quick to point out that the manner in which umpires ruled on most plays was not to change.

Personally, I understood the question when I first read it a couple weeks ago, probably because of what I expect from ASA tests. It isn't saying "IF" it was interference, but that it IS interference and the ball is dead. The point of the question is to show that runner assistance is not interference and the ball is not dead.

This rule was once considered and noted as interference (last century), but was changed as it doesn't meet the definition or interpretation of interference.

[EsqUmp]

I would like to see something in writing that says "the manner in which umpires ruled on most plays was not to change." I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I never saw anything like that. Additionally, that would be inconsistent with "comment" to the rule changes, which reads, "Removes 'intentionally' from the rule and allows the umpire to judge interference and not intent." As so many on this forum point out, the language in the book is clear so how could we enforce the rule differently? Thoughts?