A couple of test questions . . . what is your opinion?

[The Man in Blue]

As I mentioned in another thread, I just got done sitting for my "promotion exam" from my state association.

Before I say anything more, what do you think of these two questions:

 

 

[Velho]

Didn't know #5 off top of my head but very clear after looking it up.

I'm a little worried why you brought #14 to us...

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Didn't know #5 off top of my head but very clear after looking it up.

I'm a little worried why you brought #14 to us...

Because the wording of "C" could imply intent or not. If intentional my hazy memory thinks one or all of the codes award 2 base time of kick or deflection and consider a carry one of those.

[Velho]

6 minutes ago, jimurrayalterego said:

Because the wording of "C" could imply intent or not. If intentional my hazy memory thinks one or all of the codes award 2 base time of kick or deflection and consider a carry one of those.

Thanks. I had the same hazy thought. Running in that haze and adding it to B, how does A ever get to 2 bases so that the answer can be D? The wording of A would require stretching to get to intentional or propelled out of play to qualify for 2 base award, no?

[The Man in Blue]

#5 . . . This was the only question I missed, and I will contend this is a very poorly constructed question.

• A.) If the pitcher balks, all runners advance one base.  -- NO, we do not allow the balk to stand if the offense caused it.
• B.) The umpire shall call "time" and start the play over. -- This is the answer that they are looking for.  I disagree.  If they didn't cause a balk, there is no reason to kill it.  If they did cause a balk, we aren't starting the play over until we have done something else (D!).  We do not let the infraction go. 
• C.) No runners may advance and the offender is ejected. -- No, while we would not advance the runners, this is not an immediate ejection.  There is a team warning before we go that route.
• D.) A warning shall be issued to the offensive team. -- Yes.

The question asks What is the correct ruling?  I do not even see B as "a ruling."  That is an action step, with the ruling being the resulting penalty.   

[The Man in Blue]

#14 . . .

I got the question correct, but not without concern.  Here was my logic: 

• A.) The pitcher throws a wild pitch that goes into dead ball territory.  No -- one base for a pitch or throw while engaged with the pitcher's plate.
• B.) The shortstop fields a ground ball and then overthrows first base, and the ball goes into dead ball territory. Yes, this is two bases (TOP).  (This is the answer they were looking for.)
• C.)  The left fielder makes a legal catch on a fly ball and then runs the ball into dead ball territory.  -- I am with @jimurrayalterego .  IMO, the wording "and then runs the ball into dead ball territory" implies intent.  Doing it intentionally is a 2 base award.  Unintentional is only a 1 base award.  Since this was ambiguous, I opted to not consider it further (as D is not a correct option).
• D.) All of the above. No -- A is incorrect. 

[jimurrayalterego]

20 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

#14 . . .

I got the question correct, but not without concern.  Here was my logic: 

• A.) The pitcher throws a wild pitch that goes into dead ball territory.  No -- one base for a pitch or throw while engaged with the pitcher's plate.
• B.) The shortstop fields a ground ball and then overthrows first base, and the ball goes into dead ball territory. Yes, this is two bases (TOP).  (This is the answer they were looking for.)
• C.)  The left fielder makes a legal catch on a fly ball and then runs the ball into dead ball territory.  -- I am with @jimurrayalterego .  IMO, the wording "and then runs the ball into dead ball territory" implies intent.  Doing it intentionally is a 2 base award.  Unintentional is only a 1 base award.  Since this was ambiguous, I opted to not consider it further (as D is not a correct option).
• D.) All of the above. No -- A is incorrect. 

I believe you are correct. I usually can find a cite. Tonight I can only cite my failing memory.

[Velho]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

#5 . . . This was the only question I missed, and I will contend this is a very poorly constructed question.

• A.) If the pitcher balks, all runners advance one base.  -- NO, we do not allow the balk to stand if the offense caused it.
• B.) The umpire shall call "time" and start the play over. -- This is the answer that they are looking for.  I disagree.  If they didn't cause a balk, there is no reason to kill it.  If they did cause a balk, we aren't starting the play over until we have done something else (D!).  We do not let the infraction go. 
• C.) No runners may advance and the offender is ejected. -- No, while we would not advance the runners, this is not an immediate ejection.  There is a team warning before we go that route.
• D.) A warning shall be issued to the offensive team. -- Yes.

The question asks What is the correct ruling?  I do not even see B as "a ruling."  That is an action step, with the ruling being the resulting penalty.   

3-1-n Penalty doesn't call for a warning though. Latest I have is 2023 though. Did this change or am I missing something?

[The Man in Blue]

17 hours ago, Velho said:

3-1-n Penalty doesn't call for a warning though. Latest I have is 2023 though. Did this change or am I missing something?

 

3-3-1(n) . . . but . . . 

 

In that case, (C) No runners may advance, and the offender is ejected. should be the correct answer.

[The Man in Blue]

18 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

I believe you are correct. I usually can find a cite. Tonight I can only cite my failing memory.

What cite are you looking for?  8-3-3(d) differentiates between intentional (2 bases) and unintentional (1 base).  

[jimurrayalterego]

28 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

What cite are you looking for?  8-3-3(d) differentiates between intentional (2 bases) and unintentional (1 base).  

Thank you. Couldn't find it last night.

[Richvee]

23 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

#14 . . .

I got the question correct, but not without concern.  Here was my logic: 

• A.) The pitcher throws a wild pitch that goes into dead ball territory.  No -- one base for a pitch or throw while engaged with the pitcher's plate.
• B.) The shortstop fields a ground ball and then overthrows first base, and the ball goes into dead ball territory. Yes, this is two bases (TOP).  (This is the answer they were looking for.)
• C.)  The left fielder makes a legal catch on a fly ball and then runs the ball into dead ball territory.  -- I am with @jimurrayalterego .  IMO, the wording "and then runs the ball into dead ball territory" implies intent.  Doing it intentionally is a 2 base award.  Unintentional is only a 1 base award.  Since this was ambiguous, I opted to not consider it further (as D is not a correct option).
• D.) All of the above. No -- A is incorrect. 

Running out of play intentionally after a catch awards two bases when it’s done because the runner left early and has passed the next base when the ball went into DBT, making his return illegal and out on proper appeal. I fielder cannot intentionally run out of play to cause this appeal. That’s when it’s a two base award. This rule assumes the fielder knew the rule (doubtful). Otherwise, there’s no reason to catch a fly and intentionally run out of play. 

[The Man in Blue]

13 hours ago, Richvee said:

Otherwise, there’s no reason to catch a fly and intentionally run out of play. 

[The Man in Blue]

18 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

3-3-1(n) . . . but . . . 

 

In that case, (C) No runners may advance, and the offender is ejected. should be the correct answer.

A trusted assignor is really pushing back on this reply (he was the one who told me they were looking for B).  I agree it seems excessive, but it’s right there.

We have a message in to the state director.