2025 NCAA Rules Test Thread

[johnnyg08]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:35 PM, Replacematt said:

I mentioned the skunk in the outfield now being illegal by rule vice interpretation in another thread.

Curious, what logic are they used to make this illegal?

[jimurrayalterego]

49 minutes ago, johnnyg08 said:

Curious, what logic are they used to make this illegal?

I guess the concern with game times  is behind it. Abandonment works

[johnnyg08]

1 minute ago, jimurrayalterego said:

I guess the concern with game times  is behind it. Abandonment works

Are they using the OF grass as the boundary? 

[alex7]

On the double base question, the preseason video stated a runner could use the white base if a throw pulled the first baseman towards the file side 

 

Did the test makers have time to include that? Rule book only gives you dropped third strike as the caveat for BR using the white bag on an initial play

[grayhawk]

12 hours ago, alex7 said:

On the double bass question, the preseason video stated a runner could use the white base if a throw pulled the first baseman towards the file side 

 

Did the test makers have time to include that? Rule book only gives you dropped third strike as the caveat for BR using the white bag on an initial play

Yes, there was a question about the throw taking the fielder into the path of the runner.

[alex7]

3 hours ago, grayhawk said:

Yes, there was a question about the throw taking the fielder into the path of the runner.

I can confirm they DID take the preseason video info into consideration for the test.

Avoiding collisions takes precedence, even if they didn't fit that caveat into the rule book

[grayhawk]

1 hour ago, alex7 said:

I can confirm they DID take the preseason video info into consideration for the test.

Avoiding collisions takes precedence, even if they didn't fit that caveat into the rule book

The difference between an uncaught 3rd strike and an off-line throw is that in the off-line throw situation, the fielder can only use the white base, while in the uncaught 3rd strike situation, the fielder can use either the white or the colored base.

[Richvee]

I e been informed that none of the conferences I umpire are using the double 1b this year. I’m curious has to how many conferences are going to use it. 

[grayhawk]

30 minutes ago, Richvee said:

I e been informed that none of the conferences I umpire are using the double 1b this year. I’m curious has to how many conferences are going to use it. 

I'm not aware of any of the conferences I work using the double 1B. I suspect only D1 conferences will be using it.

[Richvee]

8 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

I'm not aware of any of the conferences I work using the double 1B. I suspect only D1 conferences will be using it.

I didn’t think I’d be a fan of it. But after watching the SEC tournament last year, I think it’s time has come. 

[grayhawk]

16 hours ago, Richvee said:

I didn’t think I’d be a fan of it. But after watching the SEC tournament last year, I think it’s time has come. 

I certainly don't see any harm with it, and if it can prevent reduce collisions and possible injuries, then why not?

[urout17]

On 1/3/2025 at 2:00 PM, grayhawk said:

Second question, and this one pisses me off because when the rules change was put in, the wording of this question is exactly why I felt it was vague:

During a steal or squeeze, when a catcher steps "on, or in front of any part of home base without possession of the ball" then it's catcher's interference, etc. But what happens when the catcher steps to the left or right of the plate? Is there an imaginary line at the point of the plate extending outward and stepping over that line is a violation, or does it only encompass the width of the plate?

Exactly.  Was it a pitchout and he dives back?  Not very clear.  This is what I put for that one.  I ended up with 58/60 and I'm not sure which ones I got wrong either.

[grayhawk]

2 minutes ago, urout17 said:

Exactly.  Was it a pitchout and he dives back?  Not very clear.  This is what I put for that one.  I ended up with 58/60 and I'm not sure which ones I got wrong either.

You got this one right.

[urout17]

12 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

You got this one right.

The ones that I think tripped me up were the additional game suspensions players receive.  My whole contention is why do I care how many they get, that's not my problem.  You do something illegal, I dump you.  I had two questions like that.  One was their first ejection of the season and the other their second.

[grayhawk]

22 minutes ago, urout17 said:

The ones that I think tripped me up were the additional game suspensions players receive.  My whole contention is why do I care how many they get, that's not my problem.  You do something illegal, I dump you.  I had two questions like that.  One was their first ejection of the season and the other their second.

They were relief pitchers. 2 game suspension for their 1st EJ. 3 game suspension for their 2nd EJ.

[BLWizzRanger]

You guys realize that the correct answers are posted now? One thing I didn't like was that for 'all of the above' answer, the answer given is 'all of the above' which hinders refreshing your memory of the actual answers were to come to that conclusion.

I had a 87% overall.  Easily I could have done better, but, I had a four or five question streak where I got them all wrong.... probably was distracted by holding out having to relieve myself. lol

 

[BravoUmp]

There was 3 that I disagreed with based on the verbiage: Correct answers according to test in Blue

Lineups become official when:

1. The lineup cards have been exchanged, verified and then accepted by the plate umpire during the pregame conference.
2. The umpire hands a copy to each coach.

The rule quote from 4-4a is: a.    Receive from the home team and visiting team their respective batting orders, in duplicate. The umpire will determine that the copies are identical, keep one copy and give the other copy to the opposing team’s representative. The umpire now is officially in charge of the game, and the lineups are official

The #2 answer leaves out the determination that cards are identical (verified) and then given to coach (exchanged).

 

Another one I disagree with:

Beginning with the 2025 season, NCAA baseball games can no longer be played at stadiums with no protective fencing in front of the dugouts.

1. True
2. False

The rule quote 1-16: Facilities for collegiate baseball shall have protective fencing or netting on the field side of the dugout at a height not less than three feet from the field level. It is required effective Jan. 1, 2024, for Division I and Jan. 1, 2025, for Divisions II and III.

The key word here is "Facilities for collegiate baseball". So does that mean games at professional stadiums, perfect game parks without netting cannot be played? The rule states for facilities for college baseball, not ALL stadiums.

 

And Finally, 

B2 hits a ground ball to the shortstop whose throw to first base pulls the fielder off the white portion of the double first base. B2 touches the white portion of the base in an effort to avoid a collision.

1. B2 can only be safe if they touch the colored portion of the base during this type of play.
2. B2 can touch either portion of the double base and can run in fair territory in an effort to avoid a collision.

The rule 1-7-b-3: 3) If there is a play on the batter-runner and the batter-runner touches only the white portion of the double base and the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base, it is treated the same as
missing the base.
PENALTY for (3)—Batter-runner is out.

The only situation that the runner can touch the white bag with a play being made is on a dropped third strike. 

[Richvee]

7 minutes ago, BravoUmp said:

The only situation that the runner can touch the white bag with a play being made is on a dropped third strike. 

While the rule doesn't mention plays where the runner would be avoiding a collision, the clinic did dive deeper into the rule and gave this interpretation. 

[grayhawk]

22 minutes ago, BravoUmp said:

Lineups become official when:

1. The lineup cards have been exchanged, verified and then accepted by the plate umpire during the pregame conference.
2. The umpire hands a copy to each coach.

The rule quote from 4-4a is: a.    Receive from the home team and visiting team their respective batting orders, in duplicate. The umpire will determine that the copies are identical, keep one copy and give the other copy to the opposing team’s representative. The umpire now is officially in charge of the game, and the lineups are official

The #2 answer leaves out the determination that cards are identical (verified) and then given to coach (exchanged).

But all that happens before he hands a copy to each coach. Until he hands each coach a copy, the lineups are not official.

[BravoUmp]

7 minutes ago, Richvee said:

While the rule doesn't mention plays where the runner would be avoiding a collision, the clinic did dive deeper into the rule and gave this interpretation. 

I must have missed that interpretation and strictly went with the book. I will have to go back and rewatch so that I can quote who gave the interpretation as I know this will come up in a game. 

The difficulty factor just went up, especially in games without instant replay. I would imagine you would have to rely on HP umpire to help with collision factor much like running lane. With that interpretation, we now have to officiate the play with fielder on base, firm and secure possession, and judge if there was possibility of a collision to determine if he stepped on correct base.

[BravoUmp]

8 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

But all that happens before he hands a copy to each coach. Until he hands each coach a copy, the lineups are not official.

I agree that it happens before handing to a coach. The rule states 2 criteria must be met for the lineup to become official.

If one of these criteria is not met, then the last sentence is not valid. 

The umpire will determine that the copies are identical, keep one copy and give the other copy to the opposing team’s representative. The umpire now is officially in charge of the game, and the lineups are official.

I understand the intent of the question, but so many times I have missed questions on these tests because I answered the intent and not what the book said exactly. I think this is a bad question and is subject to confusion.

[grayhawk]

14 minutes ago, BravoUmp said:

I must have missed that interpretation and strictly went with the book. I will have to go back and rewatch so that I can quote who gave the interpretation as I know this will come up in a game. 

The difficulty factor just went up, especially in games without instant replay. I would imagine you would have to rely on HP umpire to help with collision factor much like running lane. With that interpretation, we now have to officiate the play with fielder on base, firm and secure possession, and judge if there was possibility of a collision to determine if he stepped on correct base.

I don't see it adding a lot of complexity. Any throw that's wide, especially on the HP side of 1B potentially puts F3 in the path of the runner. I would give a lot of latitude.

[grayhawk]

1 minute ago, BravoUmp said:

I agree that it happens before handing to a coach. The rule states 2 criteria must be met for the lineup to become official.

If one of these criteria is not met, then the last sentence is not valid. 

The umpire will determine that the copies are identical, keep one copy and give the other copy to the opposing team’s representative. The umpire now is officially in charge of the game, and the lineups are official.

I understand the intent of the question, but so many times I have missed questions on these tests because I answered the intent and not what the book said exactly. I think this is a bad question and is subject to confusion.

This identical question was also in the quiz in the preseason guide. Remember all of the resources available to you when doing the test.

[Richvee]

50 minutes ago, BravoUmp said:

I must have missed that interpretation and strictly went with the book. I will have to go back and rewatch so that I can quote who gave the interpretation as I know this will come up in a game. 

The difficulty factor just went up, especially in games without instant replay. I would imagine you would have to rely on HP umpire to help with collision factor much like running lane. With that interpretation, we now have to officiate the play with fielder on base, firm and secure possession, and judge if there was possibility of a collision to determine if he stepped on correct base.

Brian Debrauer gives a lot of info in his double first base presentation. Off line throws, heightened awareness by plate umpire,  etc. It's probably the most informative piece in the whole clinic. 

[Replacematt]

7 hours ago, urout17 said:

The ones that I think tripped me up were the additional game suspensions players receive.  My whole contention is why do I care how many they get, that's not my problem.  You do something illegal, I dump you.  I had two questions like that.  One was their first ejection of the season and the other their second.

It is your problem, since you have to inform them of their suspension.