Worst questions on this year's NFHS Part 1 exam.

[Dakota]

Poorest of the lot:

1. A batting helmet is considered legal if it has:
A. A surface with no dents or cracks.
B. A matte surface.
C. A mirror-like surface.
D. Both a and b.

This question is bad because the "correct" answer (D) includes something that is not mentioned at all in the rules: matte surface. In point of fact, the commentary on the new rule making mirror-like surfaces illegal specifically allows a glossy finish, just not mirror-like. Given the new rule, a reasonable person trying to figure out what they must have meant could reasonably come to the conclusion they might be wanting to make the point that "not mirror-like" does not mean "matte". Instead, they perhaps build a perception that the rule says the helmet must be matte. Really bad question writing.

3. A catcher's helmet is considered legal if it has:
A. A smooth surface.
B. A dent.
C. A glare surface.
D. A rough surface.

This question lists not a single attribute from the rule book regarding a legal helmet. In fact, it lists two attributes that are not mentioned as being either legal or illegal. So, you have to guess which is more legal? The "correct" answer is A.

31. When a thrown live ball accidentally touches a base coach in foul territory, the ball is live and in play.

Does the coach's box include all of foul territory? Obviously not, but the "correct" answer to this question is "True."

87. The score of a forfeited game is 7-0 unless the offending team is behind; then the score remains as recorded.

What if the score is 3-2 (offending team behind) at the bottom of the 1st when the game is forfeited? Yet, the "correct" answer to this question is "True."

Less egregiously poor (but still poorly written) questions:

5. A runner is not out if hit with a fair batted ball that deflects off F1's glove.

The correct answer is "sometimes", yet the official answer is "True".

37. A delayed dead-ball situation occurs when the umpire interferes with the catcher who is attempting to throw a non-batted ball.

Again, the correct answer is "sometimes", yet the official answer is "True".

The annual lament: you would think an education-based sports body could do better.

Do I feel bad about revealing the official answers before some states' deadlines are reached? Not a bit. If they are going to write questinos this poorly, then I have no ethical twinges about revealing the "correct" answers.