Coed softball - postioning - slowpitch

Question
Hi Dr. Mark,
I have read the past questions/answers here about the defensive coed (ASA slow pitch) positions, but I still have a few questions.

1.)  Should an ump inform the players that an outfielder is actually playing an infield spot (ie - male moves in 5 feet behind 2nd base when a small female is at bat) before any play occurrs?  Or, should an ump let the play occurr and then make some penalty if said outfielder is involved in making an out what-so-ever.

2.) Can a SS play on the 1b side of the infield when a big pull lefty batter is up ?

3.)  I assume that any defensive player can move after the ball is hit, but what if an outfielder runs up behind 2nd base while the pitcher is in his wind-up.

Trust me....we have these situations a lot in our league...and the calls defer ump to ump.

Thanks
Russ


Answer
Hi Russ,

Local leagues frequently have stricter rules than strict ASA play in co-ed positioning.

In ASA co-ed play an infielder has to play where an infielder normally plays and an outfielder the same.  That is not to say you can't have a "rover" in co-ed play or the entire outfield drawn up, you can.  It is the umpire's judgement if that "rover" or outfield is playing where an outfielder normally plays.  You can make an argument that 5' behind 2nd is just a deep infielder, especially if infielder's play deep for males, I probably would move them back some before the pitch.

2.) Can a SS play on the 1b side of the infield when a big pull lefty batter is up ?   yes there is no restriction on where they position themselves in the infield.

3.)  I assume that any defensive player can move after the ball is hit, but what if an outfielder runs up behind 2nd base while the pitcher is in his wind-up.  In co-ed the ball is dead until batted, until the ball becomes alive they have to be where an outfielder normally plays.

Mark