Umpire Certification Umpire Communication and Signals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What verbal announcement must an umpire make when invoking the infield fly rule?
- 'Infield fly if fair!' (Correct answer)
- 'Automatic out — batter is out!'
- 'Fly ball rule in effect!'
- 'Batter is out on infield fly!'
Correct answer: 'Infield fly if fair!'
The proper call is 'Infield fly if fair!' so all players understand the rule is invoked before the ball lands, since the batter is out regardless of whether the fielder catches it.
Question 2: What is the proper mechanic when obstruction by a fielder is called?
- Call 'Obstruction!' point at the fielder, let play continue, then award bases after the play ends (Correct answer)
- Immediately stop play and place all runners based on their position at the time of obstruction
- Issue a warning to the fielder and allow play to continue without penalty
- Signal safe to the obstructed runner and award one base immediately
Correct answer: Call 'Obstruction!' point at the fielder, let play continue, then award bases after the play ends
For Type B obstruction, the umpire calls 'Obstruction!' points at the offending fielder, allows play to conclude, then awards appropriate bases to the obstructed runner.
Question 3: What is the proper mechanic for calling a balk?
- Immediately stop play, signal time, and return all runners one base
- Call 'Balk!' loudly, point at the pitcher, and allow play to continue before making the ruling (Correct answer)
- Blow the whistle and signal time before the pitch is delivered
- Issue a warning on the first offense and only call a balk on the second
Correct answer: Call 'Balk!' loudly, point at the pitcher, and allow play to continue before making the ruling
The proper balk mechanic is to call 'Balk!' and point at the pitcher while allowing the play to proceed, since a beneficial play for the offense takes precedence over the balk penalty.
Question 4: How should an umpire signal interference?
- Wave both arms above the head and call 'Interference!'
- Point at the player who interfered and call 'That's interference!' (Correct answer)
- Blow a short whistle blast and hold up one finger
- Cross both arms in an X-shape at chest level
Correct answer: Point at the player who interfered and call 'That's interference!'
The umpire points at the offending player and clearly calls 'That's interference!' to identify who committed the violation and remove any ambiguity.
Question 5: What is the proper procedure when an umpire crew needs to confer on a ruling?
- The senior umpire has final authority and other umpires may not be consulted on any call
- Any crew member may request a conference and the crew confers to reach the correct ruling (Correct answer)
- Only the plate umpire may initiate an umpire conference during a game
- Umpires may never change a ruling once it has been publicly announced
Correct answer: Any crew member may request a conference and the crew confers to reach the correct ruling
Any crew member may request a conference, and the crew should briefly confer to ensure the correct ruling is made — getting the call right is the priority.
Question 6: What is the proper signal to indicate 'no catch' on a dropped fly ball?
- Wave both hands downward with palms facing the ground (Correct answer)
- Hold both arms out horizontally and shake them side to side
- Point to the ground and call 'No catch!'
- Make a patting downward motion with both open hands
Correct answer: Wave both hands downward with palms facing the ground
The 'no catch' signal involves waving both hands downward with palms facing the ground while verbally calling 'No catch!' to alert runners the ball is live.
Question 7: What is the proper mechanic when a batted ball is ruled fair?
- Point into fair territory with the arm extended and call 'Fair!'
- Call 'Fair ball!' loudly while pointing toward the field
- No signal is required — play continues automatically on a fair ball (Correct answer)
- Raise both hands above the head to signal fair
Correct answer: No signal is required — play continues automatically on a fair ball
There is no required signal for fair balls — umpires signal foul balls only, and play continues automatically when a ball is fair, preventing unnecessary interruption of play.
Umpire Certification Umpire Communication and Signals 2
What verbal announcement must an umpire make when invoking the infield fly rule?