2026 NFHS Softball Exam - with answers
Question #1
A fair ball is a batted ball that first falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second or third
base.
a. True Rule 2-20-1f
b. False
Question #2
A slide is illegal if:
a. The runner uses a rolling or cross-body slide into the fielder.
b. The runner's raised leg is higher than the fielder's knee when the fielder is in a standing position.
c. The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg.
d. The runner goes beyond the base and makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder. e. All of the
above. Rule 2-52-2
Question #3
All of the following are true regarding the catcher's box, EXCEPT:
a. The catcher must be in the catcher's box from the time the pitcher steps on the pitcher's plate until she
releases the pitch.
b. The catcher's box is a rectangle.
c. The catcher's box is 8 feet, 5 inches wide.
d. The catcher's box is 10 feet deep.
e. The catcher's box includes the area directly behind home plate, between the batter's boxes. Rule 2-10-2
Question #4
The umpire rules a catch and the batter is out if the:
a. Left fielder catches a fly ball and while attempting to throw to second base it drops out of the player's
hand.
b. Left fielder catches a fly ball and while attempting to run the ball in to the infield it pops out of the
glove.
c. Left fielder catches a fly ball in the tip of the glove and it immediately pops out.
d. A and B Rule 2-9-3 and Case Book 2.9.2 Situation B Ruling last sentence
Question #5
When the ball goes out of play, runners must be given the opportunity to complete their baserunning
responsibilities before a dead-ball appeal is made.
a. True Rule 2-1-3b2
b. False
Question #6
The batter must keep one foot in the batter's box between pitches. a.
True
b. False Rule 7-3
,2026 NFHS Softball Exam - with answers
Question #7
All of the following team personnel are permitted outside the designated dugout/bench, EXCEPT: a.
The batter.
b. Runners on base.
c. The on-deck batter.
d. Defensive players.
e. The coach giving defensive signals. – Rule 3-6-6
Question #8
A base coach may use a stopwatch while coaching at first or third base.
a. True – Rule 3-6-10
b. False
Question #9
Prior to the start of the game at the pregame conference, the head coach shall be responsible for verifying which
of the following?
a. The lineup card is correct.
b. All players are legally equipped.
c. Players and equipment are in compliance with all NFHS rules.
d. A, B, and C. – Rule 3-5-1
e. None of the above.
Question #10
A legal substitute may replace a courtesy runner on a base, but the substitute is actually replacing the
pitcher/catcher in the lineup for whom the courtesy runner is running and the pitcher/catcher has left the
game.
a. True – Rule 8-9-2 Exception
b. False
Question #11
The ball becomes dead in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:
a. There is interference by a runner or retired runner.
b. The batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat.
c. An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball with first base occupied and less than two outs. d. An
illegal pitch is delivered. – Rule 5-1-1p
e. The batter-runner steps backward toward home plate to avoid being tagged out.
, 2026 NFHS Softball Exam - with answers
Question #12
The softball field includes an elevated cement step in front of each dugout. B1 hits a foul fly caught by F3
such that her right foot is on the ground completely in live-ball territory and her left foot is on the elevated
cement step with half the foot on the step and the other half over live-ball territory but completely off the
ground. What is the result of the play?
a. B1 is out on a good catch by F3; the ball is live and in play.
b. Foul ball; the ball is dead and B1 remains at bat. – Rule 2-9-5d
c. B1 is out on a good catch by F3; the ball is dead.
d. Foul ball; the ball is live and in play and B1 remains at bat.
e. None of the above.
Question #13
All of the following are true regarding the FLEX player, EXCEPT:
a. The FLEX is listed in the 10th position in the lineup.
b. The FLEX may be substituted for by the DP playing defense.
c. The FLEX may bat anywhere in one of the nine positions of the batting order.-Rule 12-3-1
d. The FLEX may be replaced by a legal substitute at any time.
e. When the FLEX is substituted for by the DP, the team is down to nine players.
Question #14
If the DP plays defense for the FLEX, the FLEX has left the game.
a. True – Rule 2-57-1
b. False
Question #15
The DP may be substituted for at any time by:
a. A legal substitute.
b. The FLEX playing offense.
c. Anyone else in the batting order.
d. A and B only. – Rule 2-57-1
e. A, B and C.
Question #16
When the DP/FLEX option is used, the lineup may be reduced to nine and then returned to 10 any number of
times.
a. True – Rule 3-3-6d
b. False
Question #17
A circle of what size shall be drawn around the pitcher's plate?
a. 8 feet in diameter.
b. 12 feet in diameter.
Question #1
A fair ball is a batted ball that first falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second or third
base.
a. True Rule 2-20-1f
b. False
Question #2
A slide is illegal if:
a. The runner uses a rolling or cross-body slide into the fielder.
b. The runner's raised leg is higher than the fielder's knee when the fielder is in a standing position.
c. The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg.
d. The runner goes beyond the base and makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder. e. All of the
above. Rule 2-52-2
Question #3
All of the following are true regarding the catcher's box, EXCEPT:
a. The catcher must be in the catcher's box from the time the pitcher steps on the pitcher's plate until she
releases the pitch.
b. The catcher's box is a rectangle.
c. The catcher's box is 8 feet, 5 inches wide.
d. The catcher's box is 10 feet deep.
e. The catcher's box includes the area directly behind home plate, between the batter's boxes. Rule 2-10-2
Question #4
The umpire rules a catch and the batter is out if the:
a. Left fielder catches a fly ball and while attempting to throw to second base it drops out of the player's
hand.
b. Left fielder catches a fly ball and while attempting to run the ball in to the infield it pops out of the
glove.
c. Left fielder catches a fly ball in the tip of the glove and it immediately pops out.
d. A and B Rule 2-9-3 and Case Book 2.9.2 Situation B Ruling last sentence
Question #5
When the ball goes out of play, runners must be given the opportunity to complete their baserunning
responsibilities before a dead-ball appeal is made.
a. True Rule 2-1-3b2
b. False
Question #6
The batter must keep one foot in the batter's box between pitches. a.
True
b. False Rule 7-3
,2026 NFHS Softball Exam - with answers
Question #7
All of the following team personnel are permitted outside the designated dugout/bench, EXCEPT: a.
The batter.
b. Runners on base.
c. The on-deck batter.
d. Defensive players.
e. The coach giving defensive signals. – Rule 3-6-6
Question #8
A base coach may use a stopwatch while coaching at first or third base.
a. True – Rule 3-6-10
b. False
Question #9
Prior to the start of the game at the pregame conference, the head coach shall be responsible for verifying which
of the following?
a. The lineup card is correct.
b. All players are legally equipped.
c. Players and equipment are in compliance with all NFHS rules.
d. A, B, and C. – Rule 3-5-1
e. None of the above.
Question #10
A legal substitute may replace a courtesy runner on a base, but the substitute is actually replacing the
pitcher/catcher in the lineup for whom the courtesy runner is running and the pitcher/catcher has left the
game.
a. True – Rule 8-9-2 Exception
b. False
Question #11
The ball becomes dead in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:
a. There is interference by a runner or retired runner.
b. The batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat.
c. An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball with first base occupied and less than two outs. d. An
illegal pitch is delivered. – Rule 5-1-1p
e. The batter-runner steps backward toward home plate to avoid being tagged out.
, 2026 NFHS Softball Exam - with answers
Question #12
The softball field includes an elevated cement step in front of each dugout. B1 hits a foul fly caught by F3
such that her right foot is on the ground completely in live-ball territory and her left foot is on the elevated
cement step with half the foot on the step and the other half over live-ball territory but completely off the
ground. What is the result of the play?
a. B1 is out on a good catch by F3; the ball is live and in play.
b. Foul ball; the ball is dead and B1 remains at bat. – Rule 2-9-5d
c. B1 is out on a good catch by F3; the ball is dead.
d. Foul ball; the ball is live and in play and B1 remains at bat.
e. None of the above.
Question #13
All of the following are true regarding the FLEX player, EXCEPT:
a. The FLEX is listed in the 10th position in the lineup.
b. The FLEX may be substituted for by the DP playing defense.
c. The FLEX may bat anywhere in one of the nine positions of the batting order.-Rule 12-3-1
d. The FLEX may be replaced by a legal substitute at any time.
e. When the FLEX is substituted for by the DP, the team is down to nine players.
Question #14
If the DP plays defense for the FLEX, the FLEX has left the game.
a. True – Rule 2-57-1
b. False
Question #15
The DP may be substituted for at any time by:
a. A legal substitute.
b. The FLEX playing offense.
c. Anyone else in the batting order.
d. A and B only. – Rule 2-57-1
e. A, B and C.
Question #16
When the DP/FLEX option is used, the lineup may be reduced to nine and then returned to 10 any number of
times.
a. True – Rule 3-3-6d
b. False
Question #17
A circle of what size shall be drawn around the pitcher's plate?
a. 8 feet in diameter.
b. 12 feet in diameter.
