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Baseball Rules From The Book Trivia Quiz

These are selected rules of the game taken directly from Major League Baseball's rule book as of August 1, 2003.

A multiple-choice quiz by tralfaz. Estimated time: 8 mins.

Author
tralfaz

Time
8 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
145,605

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Impossible

Avg Score
6 / 20

Plays
14664

Last 3 plays: Guest 131 (5/20), Guest 192 (0/20), Guest 172 (4/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. Section 1: Objectives of the Game:
What is the minimum number of umpires needed for a game? Hint

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Question 2 of 20

2. Section 1: Objectives of the Game:
What is the length (in inches) of one side of first base? Hint

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Question 3 of 20

3. Section 2: Definition of Terms:
A team is behind 5 to 7 when the other team forfeits. What is the final score? Hint

1 - 0

8 - 7

5 - 7 (notation made in official score book)

9 - 0

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Question 4 of 20

4. Section 2: Definition of Terms:
How long before a game must the league president or umpire-in-chief be notified of who is the team's manager? Hint

30 minutes

2 hours

1 hour

At game time

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Question 5 of 20

5. Section 3: Game Preliminaries:
Which substance is not specifically mentioned as a foreign substance to discolor or damage the ball in Rule 3.02? Hint

rosin

licorice

chalk

paraffin

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Question 6 of 20

6. Section 3: Game Preliminaries:
Which of these is legal under Rule 3.09? Hint

An infielder (in uniform) sitting with his family in the stands AFTER the game

A first baseman and runner chatting

A player and his coach chatting during a live ball

An outfielder talking to fans

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Question 7 of 20

7. Section 4: Starting & Ending Game:
What does the umpire do to start a game? Hint

Says, "Play ball"

Says, "Play"

Points to pitcher

Says, "Start the game"

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Question 8 of 20

8. Section 4: Starting and Ending Game:
How many players are required to take the field? Hint

1 (Pitcher)

2 (Pitcher and Catcher)

9 (All positions represented)

8 (A shortstop is not required)

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Question 9 of 20

9. Section 5: Putting the Ball in Play:
What is the status of a thrown ball when it accidently hits a base coach? Hint

Dead immediately

An out (interference by an offensive team member)

Dead but each runner is allowed one more base

Live

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Question 10 of 20

10. Section 5: Putting the Ball in Play:
In which situation is a runner entitled to a free base? Hint

A third strike goes past the catcher and hits the umpire

A pitch lodges in the catcher's mask and cannot be removed

The plate umpire interferes with the catcher's throw

A hit ball hits an umpire in the infield after being touched by a fielder

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Question 11 of 20

11. Section 6: The Batter:
How many ways can a batter be declared out? Hint

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Question 12 of 20

12. Section 6: The Batter:
The designated hitter in 2001 was used if the home team is in a league that uses the designated hitter in which of the following games: World Series or All-Star? Hint

Neither of these

All-Star

World Series

Both of these

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Question 13 of 20

13. Section 7: The Runner:
A runner gets 3 bases if: Hint

A fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with detached equipment

A fielder throws his glove and touches a thrown ball

A wild pitch that is live is kicked into a dugout

A ball is hidden in the ivy at Wrigley Field (ground rule)

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Question 14 of 20

14. Section 7: The Runner:
According to Rule 7.07 - On a squeeze play, the catcher touches home plate without the ball. Which is not part of the ruling? Hint

Pitcher is charged with a balk

Pitch is called a ball

Catcher charged with interference

Ball is dead

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Question 15 of 20

15. Section 8: The Pitcher:
If a manager goes to talk to the same pitcher twice in an inning, the pitcher must leave the game immediately except when, Hint

When a batter was replaced by a pinch hitter

The batter when the manager went out the first time is still up to bat.

The manager goes to the catcher and the catcher goes to the pitcher

When the pitching coach makes the second visit

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Question 16 of 20

16. Section 8: The Pitcher:
It is well known that a pitcher gets 8 warmup pitches (Rule 8.03). What can limit the number of warmup pitches: league rules or a one minute time limit? Hint

One minute time limit

Neither one of these

Both of these

League rules

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Question 17 of 20

17. Section 9: The Umpire:
What is interesting about appealing a half-swing? Hint

Automatically makes it a dead ball

Cannot be done if the call was a ball

Cannot be done if the call was a strike

Only the catcher can appeal

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Question 18 of 20

18. Section 9: The Umpire:
How long does an umpire have to report rules violations to the league president? Hint

6 hours

3 hours

24 hours

12 hours

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Question 19 of 20

19. Section 10: The Official Scorer:
Which of these is an error? Hint

A ball that would go foul is touched in fair territory and the batter reaches first safely

A wild pitch or a passed ball that allows a runner to advance

A catcher makes a wild throw on a stolen base and the throw would have beat the runner

A foul ball is dropped and prolongs a batter's time at bat

20. Section 10: The Official Scorer:
If a starting pitcher pitches less than 5 innings (4 innings in a 5 inning game), he cannot be a winning pitcher - even if he leaves with a lead that his team maintains to win. Who is the winning pitcher in this case? Hint

The first relief pitcher

The most effective relief pitcher

The last relief pitcher

The relief pitcher that gets the most outs

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Section 1: Objectives of the Game: What is the minimum number of umpires needed for a game?

Answer: 1

Rule 1.01 prescribes "one or more umpires". Confirmed by Rule 9.03 which stipulates that if a game has one umpire, he may stand wherever he wants.

2. Section 1: Objectives of the Game: What is the length (in inches) of one side of first base?

Answer: 15

Rule 1.06 also denotes that bases must be white canvas, between 3 and 5 inches high, and filled with soft material.

3. Section 2: Definition of Terms: A team is behind 5 to 7 when the other team forfeits. What is the final score?

Answer: 9 - 0

A forfeited game is defined with a final score of 9 - 0 unless the forfeiting team is behind, in which case the final score is the score at time of forfeit.

4. Section 2: Definition of Terms: How long before a game must the league president or umpire-in-chief be notified of who is the team's manager?

Answer: 30 minutes

Under the definition of "The Manager", players can still be managers.

5. Section 3: Game Preliminaries: Which substance is not specifically mentioned as a foreign substance to discolor or damage the ball in Rule 3.02?

Answer: chalk

Also listed is soil, sand paper, and emery paper.

6. Section 3: Game Preliminaries: Which of these is legal under Rule 3.09?

Answer: A player and his coach chatting during a live ball

Rule 3.09 prevents fraternization between opposing teams and team members and fans.

7. Section 4: Starting & Ending Game: What does the umpire do to start a game?

Answer: Says, "Play"

Rule 4.02 does not require the word "ball" to be spoken by the umpire at the beginning of the game. This is reiterated in Rule 5.01.

8. Section 4: Starting and Ending Game: How many players are required to take the field?

Answer: 9 (All positions represented)

Rule 4.17 calls it a forfeit if all nine players do not take the field.

9. Section 5: Putting the Ball in Play: What is the status of a thrown ball when it accidently hits a base coach?

Answer: Live

Rule 5.08 does allow an out by interference if the coach intentionally touches the ball.

10. Section 5: Putting the Ball in Play: In which situation is a runner entitled to a free base?

Answer: A pitch lodges in the catcher's mask and cannot be removed

Rule 5.09 explains in great detail when balls hitting umpires are live and dead balls.
A third strike goes pass the catcher and hits the umpire - live ball but if it is caught before hitting the ground it is not an out.
The plate umpire interferes with the catcher's throw - runner returns to base.
A hit ball hits an umpire in the infield after being touched by a fielder - live ball.

11. Section 6: The Batter: How many ways can a batter be declared out?

Answer: 19

Rules 6.05, 6.06, and 6.07 list them all
The most unusual is probably:
"With two out, a runner on third base, and two strikes on the batter, the runner attempts to steal home base on a legal pitch and the ball touches the runner in the batter's strike zone. The umpire shall call "Strike Three," the batter is out and the run shall not count; before two are out, the umpire shall call "Strike Three," the ball is dead, and the run counts."

12. Section 6: The Batter: The designated hitter in 2001 was used if the home team is in a league that uses the designated hitter in which of the following games: World Series or All-Star?

Answer: World Series

Rule 6.10 specifically states that both leagues must also agree to use the DH.

13. Section 7: The Runner: A runner gets 3 bases if:

Answer: A fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with detached equipment

Rule 7.05 gives the number extra bases for different scenerios. A difference is made between a fair hit ball being touched by detached equipment (3 bases) and a throw being touched by detached equipment (2 bases).

14. Section 7: The Runner: According to Rule 7.07 - On a squeeze play, the catcher touches home plate without the ball. Which is not part of the ruling?

Answer: Pitch is called a ball

The batter gets first base due to the interference.

15. Section 8: The Pitcher: If a manager goes to talk to the same pitcher twice in an inning, the pitcher must leave the game immediately except when,

Answer: The batter when the manager went out the first time is still up to bat.

Rule 8.06 - A manager may not go to the mound twice during the same batter. The violation of this rule results in the immediate ejection of the manager, and the replacement of the pitcher when the current batter is retired or gets on base.

16. Section 8: The Pitcher: It is well known that a pitcher gets 8 warmup pitches (Rule 8.03). What can limit the number of warmup pitches: league rules or a one minute time limit?

Answer: Both of these

A league can reduce the number of warmup pitches allowed. There is also a time limit on the pitches. Of course Rule 8.03 allows the umpire to overrule this if the pitcher leaves the game due to a sudden emergency (usually injury).

17. Section 9: The Umpire: What is interesting about appealing a half-swing?

Answer: Cannot be done if the call was a strike

Rule 9.02
Only balls can be appealed. The appeal can be done by a manager or the catcher, and it is a live ball so if a runner on first starts to go to second on a called 4th ball and the call is reversed, he can be thrown out.

18. Section 9: The Umpire: How long does an umpire have to report rules violations to the league president?

Answer: 12 hours

Rule 9.05
Another interesting part of this rule is that it is the only one that specifically mentions trainers.

19. Section 10: The Official Scorer: Which of these is an error?

Answer: A foul ball is dropped and prolongs a batter's time at bat

Rules 10.13 and 10.14 cover what are and are not errors. After reading this, it is clear that many errors that should be scored as such are not. This is such a case. An error is to be called if it prolongs a batter's time at bat however it is almost never done since no runner advances.

20. Section 10: The Official Scorer: If a starting pitcher pitches less than 5 innings (4 innings in a 5 inning game), he cannot be a winning pitcher - even if he leaves with a lead that his team maintains to win. Who is the winning pitcher in this case?

Answer: The most effective relief pitcher

Rule 10.19
The effectiveness of the reliever is in the judgment of the official scorer. The 5 inning rule does not apply to losing pitchers.
To view the rule book, go to http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/official_rules/foreword.jsp

Source: Author tralfaz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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