Appendix F: Baseball Knowledge Test
(From Spilich, Vesonder, Chiesi & Voss, 1979)
1. If the visiting team is ahead, how many innings must a game go to be
official?
2. What is the official score of a forfeit game?
3. If the batter makes an out in order to advance the runner one base,
the play is termed a(n):
4. What does RBI stand for?
5. A pitcher warms up before going into the game. The place where he warms up
is called the:
6. When a runner on base starts to run with the pitch and the batter knows he
is going to run and tries definitely to hit the ball, this is called
a(n):
7. Trying to get a runner form third base to home plate by bunting the ball
is called a(n):
8. The distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate is:
9. The distance between any two bases is:
10. A pitcher who does not start the game but comes into a game at some point
after it has started is called a(n) ________ pitcher.
11. If during a game a manager objects to the interpretation of a rule given
by a game official, the manager may play the game ________ ________.
(What is the expression that follows?)
12. How many innings must a starting pitcher pitch in order to receive credit
for a win?
13. When a pitcher makes an illegal motion with a runner on base, the runner
gets to advance a base. This advancing of a base due to a pitcher's
illegal action is called a(n):
14. On each side of home plate there are rectangular markings where a batter
stands when he is hitting. The marked off area is called the:
15. When a team is at bat, one person of that team stands in a rectangular
area by first base and another person of that team stands in a rectangular
area near third base. These areas are called:
16. With a man on first base the pitcher throws the ball and the catcher lets
the ball get by him, allowing the runner to go from first to second
base. The official scorer charges the ________ with a(n) ________.
17. This time the man on first base gets to second base because the pitcher
threw the ball behind the batter and the catcher was unable to stop it.
In this case the official scorer charges the ________ with a(n) ________.
18. An infielder goes "deep into the hole" and gets the batter out at first
base. Which infielder did this?
19. If a ground ball hit by the batter rolls foul and then fair before the
ball reaches third base, is the ball fair or foul?
20. When the pitcher suddenly turns and throws the ball to second base to try
to make a runner out who is on second base, this action is called a(n):
21. If a batter is hit by a pitched ball, what do the rules say he is entitled
to do?
22. What does ERA stand for?
23. A batter who is scheduled to bat immediately after the batter currently
hitting is referred to as being:
24. In the American League, what does dh stand for?
25. A batter who hits either right- or left-handed is called a(n):
26. A batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman who in throwing the ball
to first base throws the ball over the head of the first baseman and into
the stands. Is the batter safe on first, safe on second, safe on third
or does he get to score?
27. When the championship team of the American League pays the championship
team of the National League it is called the World Series. What is the
number of winning games for one team it takes to win the World Series?
28. A player who has not been in a game is put up to bat to hit for someone
who has been in the game. The player put into the game is called a(n):
29. In baseball, one person determines whether a pitch is a ball or a strike.
This person is a(n):
30. When is a batter allowed to run to first base even though he struck
out?
31. With runners on second and third base, a batter may be walked
intentionally. Assume the batter is not an outstanding hitter. What
would be the major purpose of such a move?
32. What type of pitcher generally has the best "move" to first base to pick
off runners?
33. Pitchers tend to throw "off-speed" or "change of pace" pitches when facing
a ________ hitter.
34. If a strong left-handed batter is coming up to bat in a critical situation,
is the manager of the team in the field more likely to bring in a
left-hander or right-hander if he brings in a new pitcher?
35. If a third-baseman who is not noted for his speed is playing deep at third
base, a batter may try to get to first base by:
36. When a right-handed batter tries to hit the ball to left field, how does
he move his front foot when swinging?
37. One way in which a batter gains better control of his bat's trajectory
(though sacrificing power) is to:
38. When trying to catch a hard-hit ground ball, what will a good short stop
do to prevent the ball from getting into the outfield in the event that
he can't catch it?
39. When chasing a deep fly ball, how can the outfielder tell he is getting
close to the wall (so as not to crash into it) without taking his eye
off the ball?
40. The most common method that pitchers use to make a ball curve is to ________
their ________ when releasing the ball.
41. A good base-stealer will make his "move" or "break" just as the
pitcher:
42. When charging a well-placed bunt, the third-baseman will reduce the time
it usually takes him to make the play by:
43. Without moving his feet, the best way for a right-handed batter to make
sure he hits to the right side of the diamond is to:
44. For a fielder who catches with (wears a glove on) his left hand, the
easiest way to catch a ball hit to the right side of his body is to
________ the ball.
45. When a ground ball looks like it may make some time consuming bounces,
the infielder should ________ the ball so that a play can be made before
the batter reaches first base.
Added Questions
46. Approximately how many baseball games do you attend each season?
47. During baseball season, approximately how many games do you watch on
television each week?
48. On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 meaning "Not at all interested" and 10
meaning "Extremely interested"), how interested are you in baseball?
49. Did you ever play or coach for a community baseball or softball team?
50. Did you ever play or coach for a school baseball or softball team?