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Quiz about MLB  Blue Man Crew 2
Quiz about MLB  Blue Man Crew 2

MLB: Blue Man Crew [2] Trivia Quiz


A second quiz about those dynamic "Men in Blue", who officiates America's favorite pastime.

A multiple-choice quiz by MaceoMack. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
MaceoMack
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
318,368
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
216
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. During the 20th Century, Major League Baseball umpires in the American League differed from National League umpires by wearing the large "balloon-style" chest protectors over the outside of their clothing while working behind home plate. When did Major League Baseball mandate American League umpires to wear the now standard "inside" chest protectors? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. All Major League Baseball umpires are instructed on and most practice what is known as "HOKS", as prescribed by the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corp. What does "HOKS" refer to? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Emmett Ashford broke the race barrier in 1966 when he became the first African-American to umpire in Major League Baseball. Who was the first African-American umpire to officiate a Minor League baseball game, making his debut in 1951? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In what year did Major League Baseball first use instant replay as a means for an umpire to review an actual disputed play? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. When Bill McKinley reached the ranks of Major League Baseball in 1946 as an umpire, what distinction did he bring to the game for the first time in baseball history? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which foreign substance is allowed by umpires to be used on MLB game baseballs? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Who was the first female umpire to officiate in professional baseball? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which Major League Baseball umpire also spent time as a professional referee for the National Basketball League (NBA)? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. On April 18, 1956, American League umpire Ed Rommel recorded a first in Major League Baseball History. What was his claim to fame? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which Major League Baseball umpire worked behind the plate during the last forfeit game of the 20th Century, and in what year? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. During the 20th Century, Major League Baseball umpires in the American League differed from National League umpires by wearing the large "balloon-style" chest protectors over the outside of their clothing while working behind home plate. When did Major League Baseball mandate American League umpires to wear the now standard "inside" chest protectors?

Answer: 1970's

Major League Baseball ruled that all new umpires entering the league would be required to wear inside protection equipment starting in 1977.
The change in rule also allowed umpires who were already in the league and using the outside protection gear to continue to do so.
Umpire Jerry Neudecker was the last umpire to use the outside equipment, which he did until his retirement at the conclusion of the 1985 season.
2. All Major League Baseball umpires are instructed on and most practice what is known as "HOKS", as prescribed by the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corp. What does "HOKS" refer to?

Answer: position to field umpires prior to each play

HOKS is the "hands on knees set" and the "ready" position assumed by field umpires prior to each play.
Traditionally, umpires will take the position when the pitcher takes his signs from the catcher. The position portrays to both the players and the spectators the professionalism of the umpires, that the umpire is ready to move in any direction to cover a play.
3. Emmett Ashford broke the race barrier in 1966 when he became the first African-American to umpire in Major League Baseball. Who was the first African-American umpire to officiate a Minor League baseball game, making his debut in 1951?

Answer: Emmett Ashford

A true pioneer in the history of organized baseball, Emmett Littleton Ashford became an umpire in the Southwestern International League, making him the first African-American professional umpire on February 20, 1951. Ashford successfully officiated on various levels in the Minor Leagues until April 1, 1966, when he was promoted to the Major Leagues, becoming the first African-American umpire to reach the position. Ashford worked until his retirement at the end of the 1970 season, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 56. Ashford was known for his flashy off-field attire, his broad smile, and his exaggerated calls and gestures on the playing field.
4. In what year did Major League Baseball first use instant replay as a means for an umpire to review an actual disputed play?

Answer: 2008

The first use on the new technology came on September 3, 2008, at Tropicana Field (Florida), in a regular game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees. Instant replay request can only be made by the crew chiefs. The technology is restricted to assisting umpires to determine if: 1) a home run ball hit was in fair or foul territory, 2)whether a baseball hit actually left the field of play, and 3) whether or not a ball was subject to spectator (fan) interference. Following review of the replay, a decision is made whether or not to uphold the original call. Once the final decision on the play is made, the teams are no longer permitted to challenge or argue the call.
5. When Bill McKinley reached the ranks of Major League Baseball in 1946 as an umpire, what distinction did he bring to the game for the first time in baseball history?

Answer: first umpire to graduate from an umpire training school

William F. "Bill" McKinley was the first graduate of a professional umpiring school to reach the ranks of umpiring in the Major Leagues. McKinley started his umpiring career in 1940. He attended and completed both the George Barr Umpire Training School, founded by National League umpire George Barr in 1935 and the Bill McGowan School for Umpires, founded by American League umpire Bill McGowan in 1939. McKinley graduated from the schools in 1939 and 1940, respectively.
6. Which foreign substance is allowed by umpires to be used on MLB game baseballs?

Answer: mud

For all Major League Baseball games, a small portion of a specially prepared mud is rubbed into the baseballs by the umpires prior to the start of the game. The mud removes the glossy finish on new baseballs plus adds a little grip making the balls easier to handle by the pitchers.

The special mud used was discovered and developed by former Major Leaguer Russell Aubrey "Lena" Blackburne at a secret location near his home in the Delaware River region in Palmyra, New Jersey in 1938. This secret mud mixture has become the only mud sanctioned to be used by Major League Baseball. Once yearly, the mud is harvested by the family business, processed, and packaged into three pound containers, and shipped to all Major League ball clubs in March of each year.
7. Who was the first female umpire to officiate in professional baseball?

Answer: Bernice Gera

A lifelong fan of baseball, the idea of becoming a umpire didn't strike her until she was over 30 years old. With the blessings and encouragement of her husband, Bernice enrolled in an umpire training school in Florida in 1967. Gera was required to use temporary housing off the school campus as the school had no facilities to accommodate a female student. Gera reportedly excelled during the five weeks of intense training, and upon completion of umpiring school was signed to a contract deal with the New York-Penn League. Less than a week later with no reason given, her umpiring contract with the league was voided.

It was later revealed that the National Association of Baseball Leagues (NABL) claimed that Gera did not meet the physical requirements for the job. On March 15, 1971, Gera filed a lawsuit against the NABL, citing that her civil rights had been violated. Gera won her case on January 13, 1972. Gera's first umpiring assignment came on June 24, 1972, umpiring the first game of a double-header between the Geneva Senators and the Auburn Phillies.
8. Which Major League Baseball umpire also spent time as a professional referee for the National Basketball League (NBA)?

Answer: Bill Kunkel

William G. "Bill" Kunkel served as an American League umpire from 1968-1984.
Before officiating in Major League Baseball, Kunkle officiated in the National Basketball League for the 1966-67 and 1967-68 seasons.
In his early career, Kunkel was a right-handed relief pitcher for two seasons (1961-63) with the Kansas City Athletics and one season (1963) with the New York Yankees.
As a Major League Baseball umpire, Kunkel worked the World Series in 1974 and 1980, the American League Championship Series in 1971, 1975, 1978 and 1982, and two All-Star games (1972 ans 1977) Kunkel was the plate umpire while officiating his last All-Star Game.
Kunkel was behind the plate on September 28, 1975, when four Oakland Athletic pitchers (Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad, and Rollie Fingers) combined
to pitch a no-hit game against the California Angels.
9. On April 18, 1956, American League umpire Ed Rommel recorded a first in Major League Baseball History. What was his claim to fame?

Answer: first umpire to wear eyeglasses during a regular game

In a regular game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators, Rommel became the first Major League Umpire to wear eyeglass during a game.
Also breaking a traditional taboo of the game, Frank Umont became the second umpire to wear eyeglasses during the same year.
10. Which Major League Baseball umpire worked behind the plate during the last forfeit game of the 20th Century, and in what year?

Answer: James "Jim" Quick - 1995

The incident occurred on August 10, 1995, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles California. The game pitted the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Umpire Jim Quick was assigned to call balls and strikes for the night game that had been promoted by Dodger management as "Ball Night".
As a special promotion, each of the 53,361 fans entering the ball park were presented with a souvenir official baseball. As the game progressed into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dodgers found themselves of the short end of a tight 2-1 game. The first Dodgers batter in the bottom of the ninth inning, Raul Mondesi became enraged when a pitch he felt was a ball was called strike two by Quick. On the next pitch, Mondesi struck out swinging. Mondesi feeling cheated by the at-bat, turned and argued with Quick, who then ejected him from the game. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda charged the plate to question the ejection of his player, and was himself ejected by Quick.
The emotionally charged crowd protested with many of them throwing their souvenir baseballs on to the field. Quick signaled the Cardinal players to leave the field to allow the grounds crew to remove the estimated 200 baseballs that were thrown onto the field. Before play could be continued, a second volley of baseballs were thrown on to the field by the fans. For the safety of the players on the field, Quick, along with fellow umpires Bob Davidson (first base), Bill Hohn (second base), and Larry Poncino (third base) elected to "call" the game, awarding the 2-1 victory to the Cardinals.
Source: Author MaceoMack

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