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Quizzes > Sports

Umpire Quiz: Call Ball or Strike on Every Pitch

Quick ball or strike game to test your calls. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sylvain MartineauUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a baseball umpire quiz on a sky blue background

This umpire quiz helps you practice calling ball or strike and tighten your strike zone through quick, game-like scenarios. Want more reps? Step up to a tougher ball or strike quiz, or focus your eye with a targeted strike zone quiz. Get instant feedback on every pitch so you learn what you missed and build confident, consistent timing.

OBR: With no runners and a 2-2 count, the batter swings and misses, but the pitch hits the dirt and is not caught. What is the correct call?
Strike three; batter is out
Ball; count is 3-2
Dead ball; replay the pitch
Strike three; batter may attempt to advance to first
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OBR: A batted ball first lands in fair territory near the line past first base, then spins and settles in foul territory without being touched. What is the call?
Fair ball
Foul unless past first base when it crossed the line
Foul ball
Foul because it ended up foul
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OBR: Runner on first only, less than two outs. A high fair pop near the mound is hit. What is the correct call mechanics?
Declare an intentional drop if the fielder lets it fall
Point fair and let play continue
Call Infield Fly if it can be caught with ordinary effort (correct)
Immediate dead ball; batter out
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OBR: True or False - The hands are part of the bat.
True
False
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OBR: The strike zone is from the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants to the hollow beneath the kneecap, judged as the pitch crosses the front of home plate. Correct?
True (correct)
False
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OBR: True or False - On a checked swing appeal, only the first-base umpire may rule for a right-handed batter.
False
True
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OBR: With a runner on third, the pitcher begins his delivery, commits a balk, but continues and delivers the pitch. What is the ruling?
Illegal pitch; add a ball to the count only
Balk; ball is live unless all play ceases (correct)
Legal; time is automatically called
No call unless the batter requests time
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OBR: Batter squares to bunt and holds the bat in the zone without moving. The pitch passes through the zone; the batter makes no attempt to withdraw. Call?
Ball, because no swing
Dead ball strike
Strike, considered an attempt to bunt
Foul ball
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OBR: True or False - A foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught; it remains live.
True
False
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OBR: Two outs, runner on third. Batter hits a fair ball. Runner scores before batter-runner is tagged out trying for second. Does the run count?
No, because all third outs cancel runs
Yes, unless the third out is a force play
Yes, because the run scored before the third out
No, because the batter made the third out
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OBR: Pitch hits the batter in the strike zone while the batter does not swing. What is the call?
Hit by pitch; award first
Live ball strike; play on
Ball; award base on balls if ball four
Strike; ball is dead, batter remains at bat
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OBR: Runner on first, 0 outs. A fair line drive to the shortstop is intentionally dropped. What is the ruling?
Infield Fly applies; batter out
Immediate dead ball; batter out, runner returns
Balk on the defense
Live ball; play on
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OBR: R1, ground ball to second. The throw to second pulls F6 off the bag into R1's path. Contact occurs while F6 is not fielding a batted ball. Ruling?
Obstruction on F6; delayed dead ball
Interference on R1; out
Nothing; incidental contact
Dead ball; both return to previous bases
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OBR: The batter's backswing hits the catcher after missing the pitch; runner at third attempts to steal home and is tagged out. Ruling?
Dead ball; runner returns, batter remains at bat
Ignore; play stands
Batter out for interference; runner returns
Catcher interference; award first
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OBR: True or False - The ball remains live on obstruction Type B and play proceeds until action stops.
False
True
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OBR: Bases loaded, two outs. Batter interferes with catcher's throw to third on a steal attempt. What is the ruling?
Dead ball, no out, runners return
Batter out; inning over, no run scores
Runner closest to home out; others return; batter continues
R3 out; inning over
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OBR: Batter swings and misses; the ball lodges in the umpire's mask and is caught by the catcher removing it. Ruling?
Catcher's interference
Live ball; play on
Foul tip; strike, ball live
Dead ball strike; runners return
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OBR: True or False - A batted ball that strikes the batter-runner in fair territory after a fielder has missed it is interference if another infielder still has a chance to make a play.
False
True (correct)
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OBR: R1 and R3, one out. Batter hits a fly to medium center. R3 legally tags and scores. Defense throws to first and retires R1 who left early before the catch. Ruling on the run?
Run counts; out at first is not a force and occurred after scoring
Run does not count; appeal outs always cancel runs
Run counts only if the throw came from the outfield
Run does not count; any third out cancels runs
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OBR: True or False - If the batter's loose bat accidentally contacts a fair batted ball a second time in fair territory with no intent and no play is affected, the ball is live.
True
False (correct)
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply MLB strike zone criteria -

    Learn how to accurately call balls and strikes by applying official MLB strike zone dimensions during our umpire quiz scenarios.

  2. Differentiate pitch outcomes -

    Develop your ability to tell apart borderline pitches, foul tips, and fair balls as you work through each baseball umpire test situation.

  3. Demonstrate proper umpire signals -

    Master the hand and verbal signals used by professional umpires to communicate calls clearly on the field.

  4. Refine split-second decision-making -

    Hone your instincts for making swift, confident calls under pressure, just like in an authentic umpire quiz challenge.

  5. Identify common officiating errors -

    Spot typical mistakes and learn best practices for avoiding miscalls in high-stakes baseball umpire situations.

  6. Analyze challenge and replay scenarios -

    Examine instant replay and coach challenge examples to understand when and how to overturn or uphold critical calls.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Definition of Strike Zone -

    Understanding the strike zone per Official Baseball Rule 2.00 is critical: it spans from the midpoint between the batter's shoulders and belt down to the hollow beneath the kneecap. Visualizing a rectangular prism over home plate (17 inches wide) helps maintain consistency; try the "ABCD corners" mnemonic for high-inside (A), high-outside (B), low-inside (C), low-outside (D) calls. Trusted sources include the MLB Rulebook (Section 2.00) and NCAA Baseball Rules.

  2. Umpire Positioning and Stance -

    Proper plate mechanics demand you stand 12 - 18 feet behind the catcher, slightly offset to the catcher's glove side at a 20° angle, as outlined in the MLB Umpire Manual. A balanced, forward-lean stance with knees bent improves sightlines and reduces missed calls. Consistent positioning is reinforced by training videos from Major League Baseball's official umpire development program.

  3. Timing and Pitch Recognition -

    Developing a pre-pitch rhythm - tracking the ball from the pitcher's release point to the catcher's glove - sharpens your strike - ball judgment. Drill reaction time with 60 fps video replays or PITCHf/x data exercises from Statcast to train your eye on pitch trajectory. Sports science journals highlight that repetitive visual drills can cut recognition delays by up to 0.2 seconds.

  4. Consistency through Feedback -

    Review your calls with post-game video analysis and compare them to the electronic strike zone (e.g., TrackMan data) to identify patterns of deviation. Keep a call log - mark each ball/strike dispute and self-score your accuracy - to spot trends and calibrate your zone. The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) recommends monthly zone audits to maintain league-leading consistency.

  5. Clear Signals and Communication -

    Master crisp hand and verbal signals: a firm "Strike!" with a 45° angled arm extension, and a clear "Ball!" when the pitch misses the zone. Consistency in your gestures, endorsed by the NFHS and MLB umpire guides, builds player trust and game flow. Practice signal drills in mirror sessions or peer reviews to ensure every athlete understands your call instantly.

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