NFHS Test

[Kevin_K]

As many of you know, it's that time of year again! Some view it as stressful. Some view it as helpful. Some of us just shake our heads year after year. 

For you viewing pleasure, another of the head scratching questions foisted upon the umpiring community in my little corner of the baseball universe:

An umpire may ask for help:  
a. On a check swing  
b. Pulled foot at 1st base  
c. Ball is juggled on a force play  
d. None of the Above  
e. All of the Above   

Your thoughts?

[Richvee]

I doubt it’s the answer they’re looking for, but my thoughts are, the answer is technically “A” 

Horrible question for sure. Are we talking about asking for help immediately, or are they defining “ ask for help” as getting together with the crew when they have signaled they have information you may need to get the call right. 
I’m guessing they’re looking for “ all the above”. 

[Kevin_K]

It cant be "all of the above" if "none of the above" comes first. 

[HokieUmp]

Given the "logic" of the NFHS test-writers (and yeah, I AM aware of the contradiction in that opening clause), I'm leaning to the "all of the above" as well.  I understand @Kevin_K's point, but since you can "get help" on the top-3 scenarios, either immediately or by conferencing, that's what they want for the answer.

[Richvee]

14 hours ago, Kevin_K said:

It cant be "all of the above" if "none of the above" comes first. 

That never crossed my mind. And I bet it didn’t cross the test makers’ minds either. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

All of the above is the answer for which you will record a "correct test answer". It is clearly not the correct answer on the ballfield...

~Dawg

[Richvee]

My favorite is this with half the question being answer A. 
 

A batted ball is one hopped to the pitcher who gloves the ball

a. He cannot immediately get the ball out of his glove and tosses the glove with the ball to the first baseman 

b. Balk stays live and in pkay

c. The out is declared if the ball/ glove gets to first base before the runner. It is not a two base award. 

d. All of the above. 
 

We can also get technical here and say the ball glove combo has to be held by a fielder in contact with first base to call the runner out. 
 

[Velho]

Are these national tests or does each state make their own? The quality of writing and editing of questions (and I recognize only the outliers get posted here) is, um, interesting for a national or state body.

[Thunderheads]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Are these national tests or does each state make their own? The quality of writing and editing of questions (and I recognize only the outliers get posted here) is, um, interesting for a national or state body.

Michigan has their own

[HokieUmp]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Are these national tests or does each state make their own? The quality of writing and editing of questions (and I recognize only the outliers get posted here) is, um, interesting for a national or state body.

Given that I've seen both of the questions in this topic, and I'm pretty sure the answer sets are exactly the same, I'd say it's a national problem.  Since the other people mentioning them are not North Carolinians, anyway.

[HokieUmp]

Speaking of which ..... this FEELS like a trick.

 

The ball becomes dead when time is taken to:

Flag Question

• A) Make an award when a runner is obstructed by a fielder.
• B) When an intentional base on balls is to be awarded.
• C) When baserunning penalties are imposed.
• D) All of the above.

 

I'm *really* not trying to look for issues, but....  if "time is taken," the ball is ALWAYS $%*!#&^ dead, isn't it??  This isn't one of those "these are not the droids you're looking for" kind of questions, is it?

[BLWizzRanger]

Well, we are talking about a national association that prints their rule book every year. You think they would get good at it.  But, you have Chapter 4 - Starting and Ending Game  and Chapter 5 - Starting and Ending Game.  Not exactly a run of the mill typo.

[834k3r]

4 hours ago, HokieUmp said:

Speaking of which ..... this FEELS like a trick.

 

The ball becomes dead when time is taken to:

Flag Question

• A) Make an award when a runner is obstructed by a fielder.
• B) When an intentional base on balls is to be awarded.
• C) When baserunning penalties are imposed.
• D) All of the above.

 

I'm *really* not trying to look for issues, but....  if "time is taken," the ball is ALWAYS $%*!#&^ dead, isn't it??  This isn't one of those "these are not the droids you're looking for" kind of questions, is it?

I remember reading, and re-reading, and re-re-reading that question. I finally figured it was asking "the ball becomes dead [in order to]." I got the question correct, so I figured the wording out accurately enough.

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, 834k3r said:

I remember reading, and re-reading, and re-re-reading that question. I finally figured it was asking "the ball becomes dead [in order to]." I got the question correct, so I figured the wording out accurately enough.

That was on the NCAA test. I think they were trying to call attention to the added 8-2-b wording. 

I had a problem with this one as being illegal: "A pitcher, with nobody on base, comes to a set position, holding the ball in both hands in front of their body. The pitcher then takes a step backward with the non-pivot foot and another step forward towards home plate to deliver the pitch."

You have to assume there was a stretch to a set with free foot movement.

 

And this one being an illegal pitch: "No runners on base. After starting the motion to deliver the pitch, the pitcher stumbles and never releases the ball."

With NCAA touting their move to become more OBR like.

[The Man in Blue]

On 2/7/2023 at 8:13 PM, Richvee said:

My favorite is this with half the question being answer A. 
 

A batted ball is one hopped to the pitcher who gloves the ball

a. He cannot immediately get the ball out of his glove and tosses the glove with the ball to the first baseman 

b. Balk stays live and in pkay

c. The out is declared if the ball/ glove gets to first base before the runner. It is not a two base award. 

d. All of the above. 
 

We can also get technical here and say the ball glove combo has to be held by a fielder in contact with first base to call the runner out. 
 

I ... um ... I ... I'm sorry, what are you asking?   [SMH]

[Richvee]

1 hour ago, Jimurray said:

And this one being an illegal pitch: "No runners on base. After starting the motion to deliver the pitch, the pitcher stumbles and never releases the ball."

Inconsistent because the   NCAA says it's no pitch if the ball is dropped during a delivery and it doesn't cross the foul line. (Good rule for pitchers to know.) 

[Jimurray]

4 minutes ago, Richvee said:

Inconsistent because the   NCAA says it's no pitch if the ball is dropped during a delivery and it doesn't cross the foul line. (Good rule for pitchers to know.) 

I think the same anomaly exists in FED where the smart move is to drop it. But why are these NCAA guys reinforcing this inconsistency from OBR when they brag on aligning to OBR. It took years to get them to go to OBR pitching foot positions and then they put a test question in about a sideways pitcher who winds up with no one on, assuming that's what they are talking about. They want you to call an illegal pitch on NCAA pitchers who pitch like Cliff Lee or numerous other MLB/OBR pitchers who pitch sideways. With NO RUNNERS ON?

[Jimurray]

57 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

I ... um ... I ... I'm sorry, what are you asking?   [SMH]

I would be asking you what answer you would pick. I think we would, for the purpose of completing the test assume poor proofreading. I don't think the OP asked anything.

[BigBlue4u]

On 2/7/2023 at 6:13 PM, Richvee said:

batted ball is one hopped to the pitcher who gloves the ball

a. He cannot immediately get the ball out of his glove and tosses the glove with the ball to the first baseman 

b. Balk stays live and in play

c. The out is declared if the ball/ glove gets to first base before the runner. It is not a two base award. 

d. All of the above. 

Here's some food for thought.  What if b. is a misprint? The word should have been "ball" and not "balk?"

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, BigBlue4u said:

Here's some food for thought.  What if b. is a misprint? The word should have been "ball" and not "balk?"

Do you not think anyone reading that question would take b. For a misprint? Here’s some food for thought. Is the test question a question?

[The Man in Blue]

I

a.) don't know

b.) what to

c.) think

d.) None of the above

e.) All of the some of the above

[834k3r]

I know for a fact two of the questions I got "wrong" I picked the correct answer.

I scored just fine, but the fact at least 4% of my score was erroneously deducted for "wrong" answers makes me frustrated.

 

[The Man in Blue]

20 hours ago, 834k3r said:

I know for a fact two of the questions I got "wrong" I picked the correct answer.

I scored just fine, but the fact at least 4% of my score was erroneously deducted for "wrong" answers makes me frustrated.

 

 

Just curious ... what did you miss?  

 

I missed one for a 96% (25 random questions pulled from a bank of 50).  I still disagree, but I usually do.

The bases are loaded. A member of the offensive team shouts at the pitcher in an attempt to cause a balk. What is the correct ruling?

A. If the pitcher balks, all runners advance one base.

B. The umpire shall call “time” and start play over.  C. No runners may advance. The offender shall be ejected.  D. A warning shall be issued to the offensive team.   I chose D.  It wanted B.  I don't disagree with B, but since the question said "in an attempt" (i.e., not successful) I think D is the more important piece. Although, in looking it up ... not a warning.  Immediate ejection. 3-3-1n

[834k3r]

21 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Just curious ... what did you miss?  

The one I remember most clearly is the 3 factors for umpire interference. I don't remember the other, honestly--I didn't copy down the questions as I took the exam and I can't review the test while it's open.

I got a 90%, so I'm not going to complain too much.

[The Man in Blue]

24 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

The one I remember most clearly is the 3 factors for umpire interference. I don't remember the other, honestly--I didn't copy down the questions as I took the exam and I can't review the test while it's open.

I got a 90%, so I'm not going to complain too much.

Not sure how other states work, but we can download the test ahead of time.  I do this each year and work all 50 questions.  Then, when the actual test opens, I just plug in my answers.

Does each state write its own test questions, or do they mainly come from an NFHS question bank?