Think You Could Be an MLB Umpire? Take This Quiz!

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Think You Could Be an MLB Umpire? Take This Quiz!
Image: DavidMadison/DigitalVision/gettyimages

About This Quiz

It's a hot, summer day with popcorn and a cold drink. It's the sound of bats cracking and fans cheering. It's the great American pastime. It's baseball. When we think about baseball, there are so many components that go into making the game a great experience whether it's the snacks, the players, or the fans. One critical component that is often overlooked, however, is the role of the umpires who govern the game. 

Umpires are integral to the success of a baseball game as they are responsible for sorting out what is happening on the field. They make calls, settle disputes, and are ultimately supposed to be the voice of reason and fairness for the two teams competing against one another. However, umpires are rarely ever paid any mind, unless they make a bad call, of course. Then the entire stadium is booing them for the rest of the game. Still, an umpire's role is critical for a game to run properly. 

Do you think you have what it takes to be an MLB umpire? Could you make all the right calls in the most crucial moments of the game? If you believe you can, then take this quiz and prove it! 

How many strikes until a batter is out?
Two
Three
Four
Five
How many bases are there NOT including home plate?
Two
Three
Four
Five
What's a pitch that a batter swings at but doesn't hit called?
A strike
A ball
A miss
An out

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Where does a batter stand to bat?
Batter's square
Batter's circle
Batter's box
On home plate
Which defensive player is behind home plate?
The shortstop
The back baseman
The home baseman
The catcher
How many points is a score worth?
1
2
3
4

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What's a pitch outside of the strike zone called?
A ball
A foul
Outsider
Off the plate
How many players are allowed on defense?
Five
Seven
Eight
Nine
Where does a batter go if he's walked?
First base
Second base
Third base
Home plate

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How many balls until a batter walks?
Two
Three
Four
Five
Where does a player have to reach to score?
First base
Third base
Home plate
Fourth base
Where does a pitcher stand?
First base
Pitcher's mound
Home plate
The box

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Where does an umpire stand to call balls and strikes?
In front of home plate
To the right of home plate
To the left of home plate
Behind home plate
What's it called when a batter makes it to second base?
Two shot
A double
A second
Run plus one
What is a ball hit out of the park called?
A home run
A fly ball
A slam run
A full

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How many foul balls can a batter hit?
Three
Four
Five
Unlimited number
What's called if a ball is hit to the outside of first base?
A ball
Out of bounds
A foul
A fair
How many outs does a defense need to get off the field?
Two
Three
Four
Five

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Where does a ball have to be thrown for it to be a strike?
The end zone
The batter's arena
The strike zone over home plate
The strike box
How many innings are in a regular game?
Six
Eight
Nine
10
What happens if a runner is tagged with the ball while NOT on base?
He goes back a base
He goes back to first
He goes back to bat
He's out

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What happens after the 9th inning if the game is tied?
More innings
Overtime
Extra innings
Additional innings
Which base can a runner run past and NOT be called out?
First base
Second base
Third base
None
What do you call a player who bats for a defensive player?
Lead hitter
Starting hitter
Top hitter
Designated hitter

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How far is it from home plate to first base?
50 feet
90 feet
120 feet
150 feet
What base can a player steal?
First base
Second base
Third base
An uncovered base
What was introduced to baseball in 2014?
Counter runs
Extra-long home runs
Instant replay
Automatic doubles

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How many umpires are on the field during a regular season game?
One
Four
Five
Eight
Where does a batter who's up next stand?
Batter's circle
On-deck square
On-deck circle
Dugout
How far is it from home plate to the pitcher's mound?
60 feet 6 inches
70 feet
80 feet 2 inches
90 feet

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What's the head umpire called?
Lead umpire
Umpire one
Crew head
Crew chief
How wide is the pitcher's plate?
20 inches
24 inches
35 inches
40 inches
What are the umpires near first and third base called?
Base umpires
Side umpires
Back umpires
Line umpires

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Which is NOT reviewable?
Potential home run calls
Collisions at home plate
Fly balls in the infield
Fly balls in the outfield
What is the minimum distance between home plate and the center field fence?
325 feet
350 feet
400 feet
450 feet