HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL UMPIRE
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Who can call a timeout in a baseball game?.
Answer: Only umpires can grant timeouts; coaches and players cannot call
them.
◍ What is the protocol for a courtesy runner with 2 outs for the catcher?.
Answer: This should be included in the plate conference.
◍ What is the significance of a 'must slide' rule?.
Answer: There is no must slide rule, but there is an avoid contact rule.
◍ What is the procedure for returning pitchers warming up?.
Answer: They get 5 warm-up pitches.
◍ What is interference in baseball?.
Answer: Interference is when the offense interferes with the play, such as a
runner going out of their way to interfere.
◍ What should umpires do in between innings?.
Answer: Talk to coaches and avoid using phones unless for emergencies.
◍ Isaac Stall.
Answer: Pandora Gilboa High School
◍ What should umpires avoid discussing during the plate conference?.
Answer: The strike zone.
◍ What is the rule regarding the drop third strike?.
Answer: In majors, pony, and colt leagues, it applies when there are 2
strikes, first base is unoccupied, and there are less than 2 outs.
, ◍ What is the rule for a batter's feet during a swing?.
Answer: Feet must stay inside the batter's box; they must be 100% out of the
box to be called out.
◍ What is the ruling for a dead ball?.
Answer: A dead ball occurs when the ball is in the white circle on the
mound or if it gets stuck in equipment.
◍ What happens if a player is hit on the hands?.
Answer: It is not considered part of the bat and is ruled as hit by pitch.
◍ David Palmer.
Answer: Cookeville High School
◍ What should an umpire do if a player steps on the plate while swinging?.
Answer: The player is out.
◍ Kayden Smith.
Answer: Field High School
◍ Drew Johnson.
Answer: Wynford High School
◍ What is the umpire's position for plays at the plate?.
Answer: The plate umpire is on the first base extended line for plays at the
plate.
◍ When should umpires arrive at the shed before a game?.
Answer: 20 minutes before the game at the latest.
◍ What happens if a runner is hit by the ball?.
Answer: It is a dead ball, and the runner is awarded first base.
◍ How many warm-up pitches does a pitcher get for their first time?.
Answer: 8 warm-up pitches.
◍ Ray Smith.
Answer: Lapel Sr. High School
◍ Wes Toth.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Who can call a timeout in a baseball game?.
Answer: Only umpires can grant timeouts; coaches and players cannot call
them.
◍ What is the protocol for a courtesy runner with 2 outs for the catcher?.
Answer: This should be included in the plate conference.
◍ What is the significance of a 'must slide' rule?.
Answer: There is no must slide rule, but there is an avoid contact rule.
◍ What is the procedure for returning pitchers warming up?.
Answer: They get 5 warm-up pitches.
◍ What is interference in baseball?.
Answer: Interference is when the offense interferes with the play, such as a
runner going out of their way to interfere.
◍ What should umpires do in between innings?.
Answer: Talk to coaches and avoid using phones unless for emergencies.
◍ Isaac Stall.
Answer: Pandora Gilboa High School
◍ What should umpires avoid discussing during the plate conference?.
Answer: The strike zone.
◍ What is the rule regarding the drop third strike?.
Answer: In majors, pony, and colt leagues, it applies when there are 2
strikes, first base is unoccupied, and there are less than 2 outs.
, ◍ What is the rule for a batter's feet during a swing?.
Answer: Feet must stay inside the batter's box; they must be 100% out of the
box to be called out.
◍ What is the ruling for a dead ball?.
Answer: A dead ball occurs when the ball is in the white circle on the
mound or if it gets stuck in equipment.
◍ What happens if a player is hit on the hands?.
Answer: It is not considered part of the bat and is ruled as hit by pitch.
◍ David Palmer.
Answer: Cookeville High School
◍ What should an umpire do if a player steps on the plate while swinging?.
Answer: The player is out.
◍ Kayden Smith.
Answer: Field High School
◍ Drew Johnson.
Answer: Wynford High School
◍ What is the umpire's position for plays at the plate?.
Answer: The plate umpire is on the first base extended line for plays at the
plate.
◍ When should umpires arrive at the shed before a game?.
Answer: 20 minutes before the game at the latest.
◍ What happens if a runner is hit by the ball?.
Answer: It is a dead ball, and the runner is awarded first base.
◍ How many warm-up pitches does a pitcher get for their first time?.
Answer: 8 warm-up pitches.
◍ Ray Smith.
Answer: Lapel Sr. High School
◍ Wes Toth.
