ASA Coaching box

Question
I was coaching this base this past weekend for a 10U fastpitch game.  There was a runner of third and she was the tying run and it was out last at bat.  I was talking to her while walking down the base line trying to steal home.  We was able to get the catcher to throw behind her and she scored at that point I was about half between home and third base.  Well outside the coaches box.  This is a Rec fall league so the rules are a little loose.  After the play the field umpire told me that if I was outside the coaches box again he was going to call the runner out becaseu I was outside the cocahes box.

I was not interfering with the play at all I was a good 7-10' away from the play.

Is there a rule that claims that the coach must stay in the coaches box?  If so what would the penalty be if it was enforced?

BTW we won the game 7-6

Answer
Hi Ricky,

thank you for volunteering your time to help advance our sport, especially at this young age group.

in ASA play a coach may leave the box to signal a runner to slide, advance or return to a base or to move out of a fielder's way as long as you do not intentionally interfere with the play, so that's the rule.  If you were doing any of that, I have no problem.

if you're not doing that the effect is a warning and then a charged conference, there is no provision to call the runner out unless you are charged with coaches interference (such as running toward home in an attempt to draw a throw)and that's not what I get from your question.

Mark

ps you may NOT leave the coaches box to give verbal communications or signals to the batter.....that's just for later use, the effect would be the same as above.