NFHS Softball Exam | 2025–2026 Edition – 100 Updated Questions & Verified Answers (100% Correct | Official Rules Knowledge for Umpires & Coaches)

NFHS Softball Exam | 2025–2026 Edition

100 Updated Questions & Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Official Rules Knowledge
for Umpires & Coaches

Introduction
This comprehensive guide includes 100 questions from the NFHS Softball Rules Exam,
updated for the 2025–2026 rulebook. All answers have been verified for accuracy and reflect
the latest interpretations by the National Federation of State High School Associations
(NFHS). Designed for umpires, coaches, and officials preparing for certification or in-season
evaluation.

Topics Covered

• Definitions and Rule Terminology
• Batter, Runner, and Pitching Regulations
• Dead Ball / Live Ball Situations
• Obstruction, Interference, and Appeals
• Equipment and Uniform Requirements
• Substitution and Lineup Management
• Scoring and Timing Rules
• Umpire Mechanics and Authority
• Game Management and Field Conditions

All correct answers are marked in bold and green. Where applicable, brief references to the
NFHS rulebook are provided to support better understanding and on-field application.

Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1: The umpire notices F6 is wearing a smartwatch on the playing field. What is the
ruling?
A) Eject F6 immediately
B) Allow the smartwatch if not used for communication outside the dugout
C) Issue a team warning
D) Declare the game a forfeit
Rationale: Smartwatches are permitted unless used for unauthorized communication (Rule 1-
8-6).

Question 2: Bases are loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, score tied 3-3. B4 hits a
fair ball over the home run fence. What is the final score?
A) 4-3
B) 5-3
C) 6-3
D) 7-3
Rationale: A home run with bases loaded scores four runs (Rule 9-1-1).

Question 3: A batter-runner interferes with a fielder attempting to make an initial play on a
fair batted ball. What is the call?

,A) Interference, batter-runner is out
B) No call, play continues
C) Obstruction, award batter first base
D) Dead ball, runners advance one base
Rationale: Interference by the batter-runner results in an out (Rule 8-6-10).

Question 4: After lineup cards are verified, a coach wants to add a late-arriving player. What
is the ruling?
A) Deny the request
B) Add the player and issue a team warning
C) Eject the coach
D) Forfeit the game
Rationale: Late players can be added with a team warning (Rule 3-1-3).

Question 5: A1, the pitcher, is replaced by A11 in the fourth inning. Can A1 re-enter as
pitcher in the same inning?
A) No, re-entry is not allowed
B) Yes, legal substitution with no warm-up pitches
C) Yes, with five warm-up pitches
D) Only in extra innings
Rationale: Re-entry is allowed once per player, but no warm-ups for same-inning re-entry
(Rule 3-1-2).

Question 6: The home team coach sets a ground rule that balls hit over a 180-foot fence are a
two-base award. What is the ruling?
A) Enforce the ground rule
B) Any ball over the fence is a home run
C) Award three bases
D) Declare the field non-regulation
Rationale: Ground rules cannot supersede NFHS rules; balls over the fence are home runs
(Rule 2-23).

Question 7: The pitcher’s glove has an optic marking resembling a softball. What is the
ruling?
A) Allow the glove
B) Replace or modify the glove
C) Eject the pitcher
D) Issue a team warning
Rationale: Gloves with optic markings resembling a softball must be replaced or modified
(Rule 1-4-2).

Question 8: With bases loaded and less than two outs, F4 attempts to catch a pop-up. What is
the call?
A) No call, play continues
B) Infield fly if fair, batter is out if fair
C) Dead ball, batter is out
D) Foul ball
Rationale: Infield fly rule applies with bases loaded and less than two outs (Rule 2-30).

, Question 9: Where can coaches obtain information for review in the dugout during a game?
A) From spectators
B) From the press box
C) In the dugout
D) From the umpire
Rationale: Information for coaching is restricted to the dugout (Rule 3-6-11).

Question 10: R1 is on third base. The pitcher receives the ball in the circle with feet partially
outside. R1 takes two steps toward home and stops. What is the call?
A) No call, play continues
B) Dead ball, R1 awarded home
C) R1 is out
D) Issue a warning
Rationale: R1 leaving the base prematurely during a look-back violation results in an out
(Rule 8-7-1).

Question 11: A pitcher wears a wristband with a playbook on the non-pitching arm. Is this
legal?
A) Yes
B) No, remove immediately
C) Only if covered
D) Only in the dugout
Rationale: Wristbands with playbooks are allowed on the non-pitching arm (Rule 6-1-2).

Question 12: R1 is on second base. The batter, with a 2-1 count, intentionally strikes a pitch
with their elbow. What is the call?
A) Batter is out
B) Dead ball, count is 3-1
C) Batter awarded first base
D) Strike, count is 2-2
Rationale: Intentionally striking a pitch illegally results in a dead ball and a ball added to the
count (Rule 7-2-1).

Question 13: A quick pitch is delivered before the batter is ready. What is the call?
A) Immediate dead ball, no pitch declared
B) Strike, batter is out
C) Ball, batter remains
D) Play continues
Rationale: A quick pitch results in a dead ball and no pitch (Rule 6-1-4).

Question 14: A fielder loses possession, and the ball enters dead ball territory. What is the
ruling?
A) Play continues
B) Dead ball, runners awarded one base
C) Runners awarded two bases
D) Batter awarded first base
Rationale: Ball entering dead ball territory awards one base from the last base touched (Rule
8-3-3).