During a protest, what is the umpire expected to do?

• A. To adjudicate protests or forward them to the designated governing body.
• B. To immediately end the game.
• C. To make an independent ruling on all protests.
• D. To consult the opposing coach only.

Answer: (B)

When a protest is filed, the umpire must stop play immediately to preserve the situation and prevent any further action from influencing the protest. The actual decision on the protest isn’t made by the umpire on the field; instead, the protest is forwarded to the designated governing body for a formal ruling. Stopping the game right away ensures the proper authorities review the play without continuing under an unresolved interpretation. This is why the on-field action is halted rather than the umpire making an independent ruling or handling the protest locally.